SWABI, Oct 17: Members of the German parliament said here on Sunday they wanted transparent spending of funds provided by their government to ameliorate the lot of the poverty-stricken people.

They visited Sher Afzal Banda and union council Anbar of Chota Lahor tehsil and inspected the completed projects of the community infrastructure and drinking water supply and construction of streets.

The funds for the project were provided by the German Development Bank (KFW) and the partners of the project were Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) and a local NGO, Support With Working Solution (SWWS).

The delegation led by Ute Koczy comprised Dagmar Wohrl, Barbel Kofler, Burckhard Lischka, Helgr Daus, Prof Egon Juttner, Dr Berg and director of the German Development Bank, Islamabad, Dr Anna-Christine Janke.

Dr Anna-Christine Janke briefed the delegation about the projects in German language. Later, a detailed briefing about the schemes was given to them by Kamran Akbar, chief operation officer of PPAF. The head of SWWS Javid said the area was without basic facilities like health, education, road and other infrastructure.

The German delegates expressed satisfaction over the completion of the projects with the partnership of PPAF. They said the German government believed in the improvement of socio-economic conditions of the marginalised segments of Pakistani society, especially the womenfolk.

They said Rs35 million provided by the German Development Bank would be utilised on projects launched in Sher Afzal Banda to address problems of the locals.

They also expressed shock over the colossal loss caused by the devastating floods and the post-flood needs of the suffering community.

SCHOOL TIMINGS: Officials of education department have warned the managements of the public sector schools to abide by the winter schedule issued by the government and if the headmasters/principals or head of the primary institutions founded violating the schedule they would face the departmental action.

The sources said on Sunday officials of the department at a meeting took serious note of the violation of the winter schedule by schools.

The officials said they had sent a letter to all public sector schools binding them to follow the timetable. “No excuse would be acceptable,” said the sources while quoting an official at the meeting.

The sources said the schools would start work at 8.25am and close at 2.20pm. However, the sources added it came to be seen that majority of the institutions had not yet adopted the winter times and observing the summer schedule which was a clearcut violation of the rules and regulations.

When contacted Shad Zamin, an official in district education department confirmed that a meeting was held, which took exception to rules violations at schools. He said the executive district officer, education had devised a plan to pay surprise visits to schools across the district.