Senate panel meets to finalise PSDP proposals

Panel informed about 34 uplift projects to be completed this year, funding of projects discusses during meeting

ISLAMABAD:

The Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives on Friday met with Senator Quratulain Marri of the PPP in the chair to consider as well as finalise the recommendations of its members on the Finance Bill related to the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

The body was informed about the details of projects and funds from various ministries and divisions. The officials of the planning ministry participated in the meeting. The defence production ministry’s officials informed the committee about their development projects. The Senate panel was informed that 34 uplift projects would be completed this year. The funding for various development projects was discussed during the huddle.

The committee suggested to the housing and works ministry that 30% of its projects should be completed. The planning ministry’s officials informed the committee that there would be no new projects of the housing and works this year. The representatives of the narcotics control ministry briefed the committee that they had two projects in the PSDP.

The government has announced a Rs3.792 trillion national PSDP for the next fiscal year. This amount represents a significant increase of 58% against the Rs2.39 trillion allocated for the PSDP in the outgoing fiscal year. Out of this amount, a sum of Rs2.095 trillion has been reserved for the provincial PSDPs. The remaining sum of Rs1.4 trillion will be spent on the federal PSDP.