Rs30b to be spent on K-P rural uplift

Irked by inordinate delay in the execution of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Rural Economic Transformation Project, Chief Minster Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Tuesday directed the quarters concerned to initiate physical work on the project without any further delay, adding that all the prerequisites in this regard must be completed well in time.

He was chairing a meeting on the project in the federal capital Islamabad. The chief minister ordered fixing realistic timelines for initiating practical work as well as ensuring progress on the project.

The chief minister on this occasion, was apprised of the progress made so far on the project, its important features, issues being faced in its implementation and other important matters related to the project.

It was informed that the project would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs30 billion in collaboration with international development partners.

The project would have three important components including Agri-business Development, Skills Development & Employment Promotion and Program Management and Policy Support. Under its first component "Agri-business Development", multiple initiatives would be taken in addition to establishing 550 Professional Farmers Organizations in the province.

Similarly, under the Skills Development and Employment Promotion, more than 100,000 people would be provided with livelihood opportunities and other 25,000 people would be trained for Agri-business activities. Apart from this, about 60,000 youth would also be imparted with technical and professional training in line with the contemporary needs and requirements.

"An effective mechanism should also be developed for close coordination among the relevant departments and stakeholders so as to make this project a successful and exemplary one," he said and directed the departments concerned to hold regular meetings in order to review the progress made on the project.