Sindh-Centre consensus must for key projects: CM

Data sharing between federal and provincial tax collecting, other bodies in focus

KARACHI:

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, during a meeting at the CM House, decided to strengthen coordination with the federal government for the implementation of important projects and improve coordination with the tax collecting bodies.

The meeting was attended by provincial ministers including Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nasir Hussain Shah, Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Jam Khan Shoro, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, and concerned secretaries.

Wind and solar power projects

Minister Energy Nasir Shah pointed out that 26 wind power projects with a cumulative capacity of 1,875MW and 19 solar projects of 1,150MW were waiting for competitive bidding.

After discussion, the Sindh government proposed to the federal government that the first round of competitive bidding amongst Letter of Intent (LOI) holders be carried out by the provincial energy department instead of the Private Power & Infrastructure Board (PPIB).

The CM mentioned that a consensus has been developed with all the stakeholders to conduct competitive bidding to procure 300MW for KE.

Minister energy told the chief minister that the previous government of Syed Murad Ali Shah had agreed to fund the project through equity contribution. The caretaker government of the province approved financing 50 per cent of the project cost through a Loan to Pakistan Railways by the Sindh government subject to Ratification by the Elected Cabinet of Sindh.

The Finance Facility Agreement (FFA) was executed between the Energy Department and Pakistan Railways for Financing 50 per cent of the Project cost on January 31, 2024.

The chief minister directed the energy department to file a proposal for ratification of the agreement.

Data sharing

The chief minister said that provincial and federal data collection and integration was most important for which he directed Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah to coordinate with the federal government.

The chief secretary told the CM that the necessary coordination between FBR, NADRA and relevant Sindh government departments was in place. The Board of Revenue (BoR), Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) and Excise & Taxation have signed MoU with the FBR for data sharing and integration.

The CM directed the chief secretary to strengthen the data sharing and collection system.

Abyana Rate Revision

Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro told the chief minister that the caretaker Sindh government has approved revised abyana rates on February 20, 2024. The chief minister directed the irrigation minister to file his comments on the rates revised by the caretaker government so that they could be ratified.

Ground Water Regulatory Framework

The chief minister said that there was a need to develop Ground Water Regulatory Framework. He directed the irrigation department to work on a new water law for integrated water resource management. He added that the legislation would be made for the ground water regulatory framework.

The CM directed the irrigation minister to hire consultants for the new water law.

Corporate Farming

The chief minister was informed that the caretaker cabinet had approved a proposal for corporate farming on December 1, 2023. He directed the agriculture department to file proposals for the purpose so that projects could be launched.

Shah said that there was a dire need to improve crop yield with the help of technology. He directed the agriculture department to strengthen its various wings, including research centres for the supreme interest of the peasants and growers, and strengthen economy.

Desilting

Minister irrigation briefing the chief minister on the desilting of the 60 channels in the command of Begari Sindh Feeder Canal was started on December 20 and will be completed on June 15, 2024.

Desilting of 76 channels in the command of Pinyari and Kalri Baghar Feeder has also been started and will be completed on April 4, 2024. Similarly, the desilting of 132 channels in the command area of the Ghotki Feeder Canal, Nara Canal, Fuleli Canal, and Akram Wah started on December 28, 2023, and would be completed by April 15, 2024.

The desilting of 58 channels in the command of Rohri Canal, Khairpur East and West Canal started on January 9, 2024, and will be completed on January 30, 2024.

The desilting of 175 channels in the command area of Rice Canal, Dadu Canal, and North Western Canal started on December 20, 2023, and will be completed on April 30, 2024.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd, 2024.