Twin cities low on development agenda

Islamabad and Rawalpindi projects get Rs6.7 billion less in PSDP for 2014-15 against last year’s Rs28.85 billion.

A labourer carries loads of vegetables at Islamabad’s fruit and vegetable market. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD:


The government has made a drastic cut in the development budget for the twin cities in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for fiscal year 2014-15.


An allocation of Rs22.35 billion has been made for different new and ongoing schemes, showing a decrease of Rs6.5 billion in the PSDP for 2014-15 as compared to last year’s Rs28.85 billion allocation.

An allocation of Rs15.65 billion has been made for ongoing schemes.

Only Rs6.7 billion has been allocated for 50 new schemes to be initiated in Islamabad and Rawalpindi under various ministries and divisions.

The projects mainly include upgradation of various health and educational facilities, infrastructure development in rural areas, renovation and upgradation of offices and buildings of ministries and divisions.

A total allocation of Rs3 billion have been earmarked for the much-delayed New Islamabad airport -- Rs1 billion for construction of approach roads to the airport and Rs2 billion for acquire land falling within the proposed road.

A major chunk of Rs1.4 billion has been allocated for the remodelling and extension of the Kashmir Highway project.

In the PSDP, Rs490 million has been allocated for four major health projects including Polyclinic extension and construction of General Hospital at Tarali Islamabad.


Law Justice

An amount of Rs1.2 billion has been allocated for nine new schemes under the ministry of law. The projects include construction of Islamabad High Court, construction of residential units for judges, registrar besides six other projects.

Education  

Under new schemes Rs200 million each has been allocated for computer and science laboratories in ICT high schools and establishment of federal government college of home economics F-/11.

For the upgradation of Federal Government College for Women F-7/2 to Federal Women University, an amount of Rs80 million has been earmarked in the PSDP.

Allocations have also been made for upgradation and addition of new blocks of schools, colleges and varsities in twin cities.

Interior Division

For projects to be initiated by the interior division an allocation of Rs463 million has been allocated for 24 new and Rs641 million for 38 ongoing projects.

Mainly the projects include uplift of different health and educational facilities in rural areas of Islamabad, rehabilitation of infrastructure and development of water schemes in this area.

For the Safe City Project Rs100 million has been allocated while Rs36.5 million has been allocated for construction of model prison in Islamabad.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 4th, 2014.
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