Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme will bring a revolution of prosperity in rural life in a real sense. He said that this program of Rs 150 billion will improve rural economy and living standard of common man. He said that Communication & Works Department will have to enhance its capability for implementation of this huge programme of repair and construction of rural roads.
He said that those showing best performance regarding implementation of program will be encouraged and awarded commendatory certificates and cash prizes while those showing poor performance will be held accountable. He said that bonus will be given to labourers of contractors working on the program while contractors showing outstanding performance will also be given commendatory certificates. The Chief Minister said that he is ready to make a new social agreement with Communication & Works Department, however, the department will also have to work day and night for serving the people.
He expressed these views while addressing engineers and officers of Communication & Works Department regarding Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Program, here Thursday. The Chief Minister said that Punjab government has launched a glorious and excellent project for the improvement of rural economy under which, besides construction, repair and widening of rural roads, new roads will also be constructed. He said that resources are a trust of the nation and transparent utilisation of every penny will be ensured at every cost. He said that the hard-earned money of poor nation will not be allowed to go waste.
He said that we introduced a third party audit policy for development projects in 1997 which is being strictly implemented. He said that resources of the nation were looted ruthlessly during the previous era of dictatorship and loot and plunder made in the name of development projects has no example in the history of the country. The Chief Minister said that we have changed the graveyards of corruption of the previous government into development minarets. He said that Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme has been evolved for welfare of 70 percent population living in rural areas which will not only strengthen the economy of Punjab but also Pakistan. He said that Punjab government has evolved Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme from its own budget and under this program, look after of new roads and those repaired and constructed will be ensured and a permanent authority will be set up for this purpose. He said that a function will be held after every six months regarding implementation of Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme in which those showing good performance will be rewarded. He said that our generations will have to face the consequences of destruction caused by sit-ins last year. He said that sit-ins caused huge loss to the poor and common man and created hindrance in the development projects. He said that we have to make up delay caused due to sit-ins through hard work and determination.
The Chief Minister expressed the hope that engineers, officers and officials of Communication and Works Department will utilise all their energies with regard to accepting the challenge of implementing Khadim e Punjab Rural Road Programme and come up to the expectations of the nation and will achieve such successes which are unprecedented in the history. He said that engineers of Communication and Works Department submitted useful proposals which will be considered and their genuine demands will be fulfilled.
He said that a high level committee will be constituted for this purpose in which representatives of C&W Department will be included. Shahbaz Sharif said that besides powers, accountability is also essential. He said that without accountability, the society cannot be termed a society. He said that goals cannot be achieved without accountability system. He said that planning of constructing such roads has been made under this program as should not require repair for 25 years. He said that testing laboratories will be set up for checking of construction material which will be outsourced.
The Chief Minister said that the C&W Department has to harmonise itself to modern demands and he is ready to make a new social agreement with this department in this regard, however, it will also have to give results. He said that the width of roads to be constructed in rural areas under this program will be 12 feet whereas shoulders will also be constructed. He said that 15 billion rupees are being spent on this program during current year.
Addressing on the occasion, Provincial Minister for Communication & Works Malik Tanvir Aslam said that the Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme is of great importance. He said that such a gigantic program has been started for development of rural areas first time in the history of the country. Provincial Agriculture Minister Dr Farrukh Javed said that labourers, farmers and common man living in villages will benefit from Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme.
He said that Punjab government has taken a great step for repair and construction of rural roads for serving rural people. Chief Secretary said that such a program has been started for construction, repair and rehabilitation of rural roads as will be useful for economic development of rural people and this program will be remembered forever. Secretary C&W said that Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme will prove a game changer in rural economy. He assured the Chief Minister that they will come up to his expectations with regard to implementation of this project. Engineers of C&W expressing their views thanked Chief Minister Punjab for providing an opportunity of a meeting with him. They assured that they will work according to the vision of Khadim-e-Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and will work like his soldier regarding Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme and not disappoint him at any cost.
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