Funds for uplift schemes of flood-hit districts frozen

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has directed the authorities of Planning and Development (P&D) department to stop working on new and on-going development schemes of flood-affected districts included in ADP 2011-12, until the next order.
The recent heavy-rains causing flood in six districts of Sindh including Badin, Mirpurkhas, Tandoallahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Umerkot and Mithi have affected more than 2.5 million people while have compelled more than 1 million people to vacate their homes.
Well-placed sources inside the P&D told Business Recorder on Thursday that Syed Qaim Ali Shah issued said directive during a meeting held at Chief Minister's House a few days back. Shah has also issued directives in this regard to authorities of Finance department for not releasing the funds allocated for the development schemes of flooded districts included in ADP 2011-12, sources said.
Immediately responding, the Finance department has issued a notification in this regard as well, sources added. The meeting has discussed the losses of floods and reviewed the arrangements made by the provincial government, sources said. Later, Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Ishaq Lashari has issued letter to the concerned Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs of P&D in which they have been directed that stop working on new and running schemes of flood-affected districts, sources informed.
Sources said that there are many new and running schemes added in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2011-12 with worth of billions of rupees. They said that authorities of Sindh government have stopped working on schemes because they wanted to spend said allocated funds on the rescue and relief activities, continued in said districts.
When flow of losses of flood would be slowed and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) would compile the report of actual losses and will made the plan of rehabilitation than the funds allocated in ADP 2011-12, would be utilised in said districts, sources said.
It is pertinent to mention here that recent heavy-rains have destroyed standing paddy, sugarcane, chillies, cotton, onion, tomato and other crops and vegetables to the tune of billions of rupees while, Sindh government has released only Rs 30 million for the relief rescue and relief activities in said districts.