To further development: Local government minister divulges break-up of funds

Says Rs41 billion has been allocated to the department in the 2014-15 budget.

PESHAWAR: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Inayatullah Khan on Thursday said the government has allocated nearly Rs41 billion for the department in the 2014-15 budget.

Speaking at a news conference in Peshawar Press Club, the minister said the provincial government has allocated nearly Rs3 billion for non-development expenditure and Rs500.1 million for non-salary expenditure of the district government.

Khan said Rs4.1 billion has been allocated for the local council grant. He added for rural and urban development, the government has earmarked Rs31.72 billion while Rs1.7 billion has been set aside for district development funds.

The minister explained that for rural development, the main projects are public parks and play grounds with a total estimated allocation of Rs410 million, of which Rs110 million is for the current year.

For the master plan of Galiyat, a total estimated budget of Rs15 million has been set aside, of which Rs7 million is for the current year. For drinking water projects, Rs816 million and Rs120 million has been allocated for this year.

Rs100 million has been allocated for the construction of a slaughter house while Rs500 million has been set aside for cleaning machines.

For the land of janazagah, a total estimated cost of Rs500 million has been earmarked. The minister informed that for development of Upper Dir, Rs300 million has been allocated, of which Rs100 million would be spent this year. He said for installing solar street lights, Rs100 million has been allocated of which Rs50 million will be spent this year.

Inayatullah Khan shared Rs500 million has been allocated for the rehabilitation of rural areas’ roads. For the construction of fruit and vegetable markets, Rs250 million has been earmarked.

The local government minister said for the construction of the southern part of Ring Road (Charsadda to Pajaggi), total allocation stands at Rs1.3 billion. He added that for the construction of Ring Road from Pajaggi to Warsak Road, a total of Rs4.3 billion has been set aside.

He said for the Mufti Mehmood Flyover, the total allocated budget is 1.8 billion. For development projects of Peshawar, total allocated budget is Rs1.8 billion. Similarly, for radial roads, Rs5 billion has been set aside.

For bus terminals, Rs3 billion has been allocated. The minister said for the uplift of divisional headquarters, Rs1 billion will be allocated in total. For the beautification of Peshawar, Rs500 million has been set aside. The minister claimed the Mufti Mehmood flyover would be completed in August this year.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27^th, 2014.