PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has released Rs79 billion development funds to different departments during the first six months of the current fiscal year.

A statement issued here on Monday said that midyear review meeting of Annual Development Programme (ADP) progress was chaired by Chief Minister Mahmood Khan. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz, Additional Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan and other official.

The meeting was informed that Rs79 billion was the highest amount released to government departments during the first two quarters in the last five years. The overall fund utilisation ratio during the first two quarters of the current financial year was quite satisfactory as compared to that of the first two quarters of last years.

CM orders 100 per cent utilisation of funds

The chief minister directed the officials to ensure 100 per cent fund utilisation by the end of the current financial year. He asked the departments to give special attention to the reports of monitoring and evaluation directorate regarding the developmental projects and take immediate steps to remove deficiencies in the schemes.

He directed the quarters concerned to finalise the PC-Is of all mega projects reflected in public sector development programme and submit the same to the relevant forum for approval. He asked them to take necessary steps to start work on all approved projects.

Mr Khan said that at least 50 per cent progress should be ensured on Dera Ismail Khan Motorway and Chashma Right Bank Canal projects during the next two years.

The meeting was informed that environment department topped the list with 100 per cent performance whereas home department managed 75 per cent utilisation during the period under the review.

The meeting was informed that a total of 839 developmental schemes were due for completion in the province and most of the DFC projects would be completed till the end of current fiscal.

So far, a total of 300 developmental projects have been approved by the relevant forums during the current financial year. About 199 projects were approved by PDWP, 94 projects by DDWP whereas five mega projects were approved by Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).

The meeting was told a total of 148 projects of elementary and secondary education department costing Rs 115 billion were reflected in the current ADP. The meeting was told that Rs.21 billion was allocated for those projects in the current year budget.

Similarly, Rs.21 billion has been allocated in the current budget for 179 projects of health department while the total estimated cost of these projects is Rs123 billion.

A total of 116 projects in road sector will be completed during the current financial year while a total of 500 projects of roads sector have been reflected in the ADP.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2021