No compromise: ‘Sit-ins hindered Metro Bus project in Multan’

CM orders funds to be released for model police stations.

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Tuesday sit-ins in Islamabad had affected the Metro Bus project in Multan. However, he said the project would be completed on time.

He was chairing a meeting at Circuit House in Multan to review progress on development projects and the law and order situation.

“Necessary changes will be made to the project design in response to the public demand,” the chief minister said. He ordered that the amended design be prepared by December 1.

Sharif said a cadet college would be set up in Jalalpur Pirwala. He also approved the construction of an 11-kilometre Western Multan Bypass.



The chief minister said the flyover at Chungi 6 should be completed quickly.

“There is no acute shortage of resources. Funds should be spent on addressing people’s problems.” He ordered that Shahbaz Sharif General Hospital be completed by December.

Sharif said the federal government should be moved for the early payment of compensation to those who had been affected by the Shujabad Road widening project.

The chief minister asked the authorities to release funds for setting up 22 model police stations in Multan region.

He said wall chalking by some extremist organisations would not be tolerated. Police should keep an eye on such elements and take appropriate action against them, he said.

Sharif ordered steps against narcotics peddling saying that efforts should be intensified against the menace. He said those dealing in drugs were responsible for destroying the future of many.

He said he should be sent reports regarding monthly meetings of public representatives.

Compensation

Sharif said the second phase of distribution of financial assistance among flood-affected families in 16 districts was continuing in a transparent manner. He said Rs16 billion had been allocated for people whose homes and crops had been destroyed in the recent floods.

He was addressing flood victims after visiting a compensation payment centre at Sports Complex in Multan.

The chief minister said Rs80,000 would be paid to each family whose homes were completely damaged. Rs40,000 would be given to owners of partially damaged houses, he said.

He said Rs10,000 per acre was being paid to those having up to 12.5 acres of land for damage to their crop.

Separately, Sharif approved the pilot project of providing biogas tube-well plants to farmers on soft terms. He said the project would be launched with the provision of 36 such plants to farmers in Bahawalnagar and Kasur.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2014.