Sindh Development and Construction Minister Shoaib Bukhari has said that Rs 10 billion has been allocated for development of roads and communication system in the Sindh Budget 2007-08. Talking to PTV, he said 434-km roads were resurfaced and 389-km new roads were constructed last year.
And this year, 300-km roads would be resurfaced and 270-km new roads would be constructed. He said agro-based industries could eliminate poverty and generate employment opportunities. So the government has decided to establish industries in different areas, he added.
Shoaib Bukhari said Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas are famous for mangoes. So, the mango pulp industry would be established there to provide employment opportunities. Likewise, gauva juice industry in Larkana, tomato paste industry in Badin, and date juice industry in Khairpur would be established. It will create employment opportunities and give good price to the farmers, he added.
The provincial minister said the engineering colleges would be established in Ghotki and Jacobabad, while medical colleges would be opened in Mirpurkhas and Badin.
He said 800 schools would be upgraded in rural areas. The girls students in middle standard education would get Rs 1,000 or 1,200 per month and matric students would be provided by the government through money order and more than 500 million has been allocated in this regard.
He said the problem of water shortage and sewerage system in most parts of Karachi city would be resolved before December 2007. Hospitals for heart and orthopaedics problems would provide health facilities to the public, he added.
Agha Masood Hussain, a journalist, participating in the programme, said Rs 71 billion has been allocated to improve living standard in the province, Rs 50 billion has been allocated by the government for the construction of 'farm to market roads', basic health units, primary schools and canal development system for irrigation, and Rs 20 billion would also be provided by the federal government in this regard.