The Annual Development Program of Rs 7.4 billion for financial year 2007-08 for Fata was approved at a high level meeting on Tuesday. NWFP Governor Lieutenant General Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai (Retd) chairs the meeting at Governor's House.
Besides the Federal Minister Dr Ghazi Gulab Jamal, who is also MNA from Orakzai Agency, Fata parliamentarians, officials including Additional Chief Secretary Fata Javed Iqbal, Secretary to Governor Azmat Hanif and DCOs and others also attended the meeting.
Secretary Planning and Development Fata Kazim Niaz through a presentation highlighted the new development schemes and the required amendments. The New Year's ADP contains 1073 development schemes in different sectors including 859 ongoing schemes. As per a policy decision, 80 percent of the total outlay has been allocated for ongoing and 20 percent for new development schemes.
The sector-wise highest allocation is of Rs 1.83 billion for Communication sector whereas Rs 1.4 billion; the second highest amount would be spent on promotion of education in tribal areas. The meting was informed that the main objective was the acceleration of development projects keeping in view the local needs. The new development program was aimed to bringing Fata into the national main stream through a fast track development process, reduction of poverty and improving access to services in the target areas.
Governor Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai, while addressing the meeting said that new schemes proposed by the parliamentarians were being incorporated in the development program with in the ambit of available resources. He however assured that their remaining proposals would be accommodated when additional resources are made available.
He said that the government had embarked upon a plan to use pre-fabricated technology in construction work so that projects like building for schools, health institutions and bridges are completed in minimum possible time.
On a point the Governor laid stress on focusing more on primary education in order to raise the literacy level and reduce the drop out rate in Fata. The Governor directed the political authorities to strictly follow the time frame and ensure that allocated funds are fully utilised.