ISLAMABAD, Feb 11: By using discretionary powers, the two prime ministers of the PPP got Rs148.50 billion released for development schemes under the People’s Works Programme-II (PWP-II) in about five years, according to official documents. Besides, Rs16.53bn has been released and shown as spent under the PWP-1.

Under the PWP-I, every year a member of parliament can recommend development schemes of Rs20 million for his/her constituency and prime minister orders the finance department to release the funds.

Under the PWP-II, the prime minister has the authority to release as much money as he wishes for any constituency.

The total amount released for development schemes under the PWP-I and II since the PPP came to power in March 2008 stands at Rs165.03bn.

According to the documents, over Rs16bn was issued to members of parliament and the cabinet division has constituency-wise data about spending of the funds.

But no such data about development schemes carried out under the PWP-II is available.

Except for the fiscal 2010-11 when then prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani ordered release of a little less than Rs21.30bn by using discretionary powers, he approved grants under the PWP-II to the tune of Rs30bn during 2008-09 and again in 2009-10 and Rs33.5bn in 2011-12.

Following the example set by his predecessor, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has so far approved release of Rs33.6bn under the PWP-II, according to the documents.

First Mr Gilani was criticised within his party for diverting a major share of PWP-II schemes to his home constituency of Multan. Now, Prime Minister Ashraf is also facing criticism for preferring his constituency in Gujjar Khan district over others as far as development schemes are concerned.

Parliamentarians on both sides of the aisle have criticised the prime ministers for ignoring them in release of development funds for their constituencies. And some of them have even opposed the very idea of allocating massive funds at the discretion of prime minister.