Rehabilitation of Fata, Kurram Agency IDPs: Safron asks Centre to release Rs 860 million

The National Assembly Standing Committee on States and Frontier Region (Safron) on Monday recommended to the federal government to immediately release Rs 860 million for rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons belonging to Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), Kurram Agency forthwith.
The committee which met with Sajid Hussain Turi in the chair at the Parliament House, expressed displeasure over the incomplete briefing on the agenda by the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) and Fata Secretariat. Political Agent, Kurram Agency, briefed the committee on the utilisation of Rs 1.86 billion sanctioned by the Prime Minister for the rehabilitation of displaced persons of Kurram Agency.
He told the panel that Rs 1 billion were released to the Political Administration in financial year 2010-11 whereas the administration is yet to receive Rs 860 million for the accomplishment of the remaining process of rehabilitation. He said payment of compensation was being made at the place of return through crossed cheques in the names of the victims to ensure payment only to the genuine people.
He said compensation for the completely damaged houses was being made in two instalments - first instalment of Rs 150,000 was given on the return of the victims to their villages while the second instalment on the basis of second survey only to those victims who have started construction of damaged houses. The political agent informed the panel that as many as 4,239 houses have been damaged completely and 1,329 houses partially during the sectarian clashes in Kurram Agency.
The committee unanimously recommended to the federal government to release the remaining Rs 860 million immediately to complete the rehabilitation process in time and minimise the difficulties of the affected people. Secretary, Economic Affairs Division Javed Iqbal briefed the committee on the funds received from the international donors for rehabilitation of the IDPs and the progress made so far. The committee members, however, expressed dissatisfaction over the briefing given by the EAD and Fata Secretariat and decided to hold next meeting soon. The committee also directed the Fata Secretariat, EAD and Peoples Works Programme (PM Secretariat) to come fully prepared before the panel regarding completed/ ongoing development schemes in Fata areas.