CM Sindh chairs meeting regarding special initiatives & packages

KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Monday presided over a high level meeting regarding development of Sindh through major initiatives and packages at C.M. House here.

An official statement said that the meeting was attended by Advisor to C.M. for Planning and Development, Kaisar Bengali, Chief Secretary Sindh, Raja Muhammad Abbas, Additional Chief Secretary (P&D), Muhammad Ishak Lashari, Secretary Special Initiatives, Ms. Nargis Ghaloo, Secretary to C.M. Sindh, Hafeezullah Abbasi and others.

Chief Minister Sindh directed the Planning and Development Department and other relevant executing departments to propose, initiate, execute and complete the schemes and projects on urgent basis.

He said that there should be proper planning and bifurcation of those schemes.

Qaim Ali Shah also directed the Chief Secretary Sindh to monitor all schemes and assign the responsibilities to each department.

He further added that the year 2011-2012 has been declared as the Year of Development for Sindh and as such the schemes be initiated within time of one year.

With regard to execution and monitoring of various schemes, Chief Minister Sindh clarified that as per newly and recent administrative changes, the deputy commissioners will act as Project Directors of those schemes and will execute the same in their respective district.

Chief Minister Sindh also directed that at least 20,000 Houses be constructed during two years viz 2011-12 and 2012-13 and the same will be given to flood affected people and poor and needy families.

He directed to chalk out a comprehensive plan for this purpose and the same will be discussed in joint meeting during the current month so as to finalize the schemes for the benefit of poor and needy people.

Syed Qaim Ali Shah also directed to develop 50,000 plots of 80 sq yards each for distribution among poorest of poor and needy people. The matter will be decided up to 15th July.

He said that roads play important role in development process, and the dual carriage road between Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas will be completed very soon.

Chief Minister said that Thar Coal and Energy Project is an important project and as an incentive of infrastructure, the road will be extended from Mirpurkhas to Digri.

He added that the same road will be further extended from Digri to Islamkot via Naokot, while an amount of Rs11 billion is being spent and Asian Development Bank has also provided Rs20 billion for schemes of roads, water etc.

Earlier, ACS (P&D) Lashari in his briefing informed that the special initiatives projects include - UC based Poverty Reduction Programme, development of Town ships and Major Urban incentives; flood affected village and town rehabilitation; rural Revitalization Programme; establishment of Drinking Water Hubs, and establishment of Women Development Centres at Larkana, Khairpur and Mirpurkhas.

He said that special development packages have been initiated for Sukkur, Larkana, Karachi, Hyderabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Keamari, Lyari, Malir and Karachi East under developed areas and Karachi east.

He informed that Thar coal and energy Board, Development of Zulfikarabad, installation of 5 - RO plants at Lyari Town and installation of 6 RO plants at Keamari Town being special projects have been provided major allocations.

He informed that Rs4000 million have been allocated for Rural Revitalization initiative and 100 units of drinking water Hubs are being established in the province for which an amount of Rs1000 million have been allocated.

Besides, women Development complexes are being established at Larkana, Khairpur and Mirpurkhas.

Chief Minister Sindh further directed that a meeting will be held to assess that what could be done during the period of one year.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011