QUETTA: The Balochistan government on Friday decided to resume work on establishment of the Bank of Balochistan besides taking other decisions related to the finance department, rural support programme, districts development plan, hospitals and sports.

The provincial cabinet, which reviewed its 100-day performance, directed the finance department to prepare a feasibility report on the proposed bank.

The idea of establishing the Balochistan Bank remained on the agenda of the two successive coalition governments of Nawab Raisani and Nawab Sanaullah Zehri. But it was excluded from the annual budget for 2018-19.

Finance dept asked to file feasibility report

The cabinet meeting, which was presided over by Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani, decided to keep the provincial revenue authority and public procurement regulatory authority autonomous, giving their administrative powers to the finance department with approval of the amendment in provincial rules of business, sources said.

The government also approved a draft of the provincial special support programme for assistance of the social and sports sectors of Balochistan and a government fund for the award of scholarship to talented and deserving students, with a directive to the finance department to make it more articulate. The draft also mentioned government’s support for the less privileged people who could not afford their medical expenses.

The cabinet directed the relevant authorities to improve the scope of work of the rural development programme by expanding chief minister’s district development plan to all districts of the province.

The government approved increased cost of Turbat road project, terming it a milestone that would pave the way for the overall development of the Makran division.

The cabinet also gave approval to the establishment of the Institute of Chest Disease at Fatima Jinnah Chest Hospital. It was decided that the draft bill for the project would be moved in the next Balochistan Assembly session.

Earlier, additional chief secretary for planning and development Sajjad Ahmed Bhutta briefed the cabinet about high court’s directions to review new development projects in PSDP 2018-19.

Regarding increasing expenditures of provincial government in face of salaries, pension and law and order, Finance Secretary Noorul Ameen Mengal said “We have been taking measure to control the extra-expenditures of provincial government. The proposal for barring unnecessary expenditures would be tabled to the sub-committee of cabinet for approval,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2018