K-P to seek $60m ADB loan
. PHOTO: FILE
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Cabinet on Tuesday approved the acquisition of $60 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the rehabilitation and restoration of the irrigation channels and infrastructure damaged by the floods across the province.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the cabinet held here with Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in the chair.
He expressed concern over the non-provision of Rs10 billion announced by the federal government for the rehabilitation of the flood affectees and resolved that all political and legal options would be utilized.
To reduce flood damages in future, the chief minister ordered a survey for the establishment of a dam on River Swat which will help generate cheap electricity and contribute towards bringing the barren lands under cultivation.
The meeting besides the cabinet members was also attended by the chief secretary, additional chief secretary, senior member Board of Revenue and secretaries of various government departments.
Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif told reporters in a post-cabinet briefing that the chief minister ordered completion of the ongoing survey for the losses incurred by the flood effectees to ensure the rehabilitation and early return of the affectees to their houses.
The cabinet, he said, also felicitated Babar Saleem on assuming the charge as Advisor to Chief Minister on Home and Tribal Affairs.
Saif further said that the federal government was not treating K-P fairly and wanted to create financial hardships for it by not providing its due share under the net hydel profit.
He said the chief minister also directed removal of encroachments from rivers, streams and water channels so as to avoid losses and damages during floods in future, adding that work on the establishment and rehabilitation of small dams in other parts of the province will also be initiated soon to minimize the chances of flood damages.
The chief minister also directed reviewing the laws and rules to enhance the efficiency of all the boards.
Barrister Saif said that the Cabinet approved the upgradation of Tehsil Razar, district Swabi to the status of a Subdivision.
The meeting also accorded approval to payment of remuneration and allowances to LG representatives under the relevant rules, which will cost a sum of Rs1479.365 million annually.
The cabinet also decided to select the convener of Tehsil City Council through elections to be conducted by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
The cabinet, he said, also accorded approval to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Conservancy and Biosphere Reserve Rules, 2022 with the aim to protect biodiversity and promote its sustainable use.
The cabinet, he added, also sanctioned the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Environmental Improvement Fund (KKPEIF) Board Rules, 2022, authorizing the chairperson and the secretary of the environmental improvement fund to operate the designated account jointly with due approval of the board and make expenditures as per rules.
The Cabinet also approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forestry Commission (Amendment) Act, 2022 with the purpose to include chief minister as chairperson.
The cabinet also granted changes in the composition of the board of directors of Trans Peshawar.
Similarly the cabinet also approved the establishment of Provincial Flood Response Coordination Center (PFRCC) to coordinate with National Flood Response and Coordination Center (NFRCC) for smooth conduct of relief operations, achieving optimum synergy between federal/ provincial departments, disaster management authorities and donors in the wake of recent devastating floods.
The cabinet also approved enrollment of the sons/ wards nominated by the retired or due to be retired 21 khasadars of the erstwhile FATA against the vacant posts for absorption in the K-P police in light of the judgments of the Peshawar High Court.
Cabinet also okayed the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (Amendment) Act, 2022 enabling PEDO to address the issue of fundraising.