Planning Commission reviews PSDP: FY13 funds to be released for near-completion projects

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: The Planning Commission on Monday reviewed Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and decided to release financial year 2012-13 funds allocated for the projects that are near completion, it is learnt. 

The Planning Commission has released Rs 19 billion for various PSDP projects up to August 17, 2012. 

According to sources, the decision of reviewing PSDP projects has been taken in a meeting held with Secretary Planning Commission Javed Iqbal Awan in the chair. Secretaries and officials of various ministries including the Finance Ministry participated in the meeting.          

The Planning Commission normally releases 20 percent quarterly of allocation of any project but now it has decided to release all the funds allocated in PSDP-2012-13 for expeditious completion of several projects under the direction of the Prime Minister. The meeting decided to immediately release Rs 6 billion for fast track completion of Kachhi Canal Project. 

It was decided to complete Dadu-Khuzdar Transmission line and Mangla Dam Raising Project on fast-track basis. The meeting also decided that Kallat-Quetta-Chaman, Kalat-Rato Dero, Khori-Qubi Saeed Khan section (Kuhzdar-Rato Deo road) and Gawader-Rato Dero road projects be completed before the end of this year.

When contacted, Planning Commission Spokesman Ishfaqullah Khan said the meeting has taken the decision under the direction of the Prime Minister. He said that the government wants to complete national mega projects that are near completion as early as possible without any discrimination.

According to official website of the Planning Commission, a total of Rs 19 billion out of Rs 233 billion have been released for the projects out of PSDP 2012-13 up to August 17, 2012. In this regard, Rs 7.9 billion for infrastructure sector, Rs 9.9 billion for social sector, Rs 0.8 billion for ERRA and Rs 0.4 billion for others.     

Total allocation of PSDP 2012-13 is Rs 360 billion including Rs 100 billion foreign aid and Rs 27 billion for special programmes.