SARGODHA, Dec 13: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi announced here on Tuesday various development projects and emphasized that the government would bring the 64,000 primary schools in the Punjab on a par with private institutions, enabling the poor to get quality education.

The ordinary students, he admitted, did not afford studying in private schools.

He was speaking to a gathering at the University of Sargodha where he inaugurated a hostel for female teachers.

He said the government had been focusing on research and would hire the services of world’s best faculty to achieve the end. The education reform programme had already been extended up to a decade after the World Bank’s approval.

The bank had earlier approved $300 million for education plan for three years. Special emphasis has been laid on teacher training and improving the quality of education, he added.

He said he had reached an agreement with the Ludhiana University authorities to boost research in agriculture sector and, consequently, improve yield of all crops. Although this agreement was initiated for the Agriculture University Faisalabad, now the agriculture college affiliated with the University of Sargodha would also be included in the programme to enable the farmers with small holdings to earn more yield.

The chief minister said the model ambulance service would be extended to all the district headquarters in the near future. He said the doctors associated with emergency services were being paid better remunerations and given special training of six months to improve their knowledge and abilities.

Special cardiology centres were being set up in Wazirabad and Faisalabad with the expenditure of Rs1 billion each. All the rural health centres and basic health units were being upgraded while the Sargodha DHQ hospital would be given the status of teaching hospital and would be associated with the proposed medical college of the Sargodha varsity. The DHQ hospital would shortly have a 500-bed facility.

The chief minister announced 200 acres for the agriculture and medical colleges, in addition to the land provided by the district government.

Earlier, vice-chancellor Dr Riazul Haq Tariq presented address of welcome and informed the chief minister that the university was offering masters degree in 21 subjects and had hired the services of 30 PhDs.

He said a poverty alleviation programme had been launched under the supervision of known economist Dr Zakir, who had set up a study circle at the university. He said another unique plan of pharmaceutical industry had been launched, which required small investment to take off.

At a luncheon hosted by MNA Chaudhry Anwar Ali Cheema, the local government representatives, PML leaders and young workers assured the chief minister of their support for the ruling party nominees for NA-64 and PP-33 byelections.

Pervaiz Elahi, during a meeting with a delegation of the Sargodha Press Club, announced a residential colony for the journalists and a special grant for the club on the recommendation of Mr Cheema.

He also announced special grant of Rs1 million for the lawyers at a meeting with a delegation of the PML lawyers. He assured the PBC member Mazhar Lillah-led delegation that he would recommend the setting up of a high court bench in Sargodha.

He directed the officials concerned to ensure provision of land for the chambers of lawyers in the district courts.

Speaking to another gathering at the Company Bagh, he announced proprietary rights for dwellers of various colonies. He said Sui gas would be provided to various private colonies and some city areas. A special grant of Rs150 million for the improvement of sewerage and potable drinking water was also pledged.

Besides, he announced a Rs2 million package for uplift of all the union councils in PP-33. Elevation of middle schools of Istaqlalabad and Zafar Colony to high schools and an intermediate college for girls to degree college were also announced.

The chief minister promised a Rs50-million grant for laying an Astroturf for hockey ground and constructing an underpass at the Katchery level crossing.

District Nazim Inamul Haq Piracha told the chief minister that Rs161 million were being annually provided to Sargodha which, he said, were insufficient to run the affairs. He estimated that Rs531 million were required for various projects, including salaries of the employees.

Saying that 125 school buildings were affected by the quake, the nazim demanded Rs1 billion for their repairs or reconstruction.