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Karachi, March 21, 2016 (PPI-OT): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said that his government was committed to provide employment opportunities and development of infrastructure to the people of province without any socio-political consideration and discrimination. “But I am sorry to say that the performance of most of the department to utilise development funds is deplorable. This is unacceptable at any cost.”
This he said this while presiding over a meeting of secretaries and heads of administrative departments at 7th floor of New Sindh Secretariat today. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Siddique Memon, IG Sindh A.D Khwaja, Principal Secretary to CM Alamuddin Bullo, Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Mohammad Waseem, all secretaries, commissioners and other concerned senior officers.
Additional Chief Secretary(Development) Mohammad Waseem giving presentation said that the overall development portfolio of the provincial government stands at Rs213.649 billion which includes Rs124 billion provincial ADP, Rs20 billion district ADP, viability Gap fund Rs15 billion, foreign funded projects Rs26.985 billion and federal PSDP Rs9.664 billion.
Giving details of provincial ADP, he said that 1762 on-going schemes have an allocation of Rs106.184 billion and 590 new schemes have been taken up for Rs35.816 billion. He added that the finance department has released Rs78.102 billion against the total allocation of Rs142 billion, of them departments have utilisation Rs78.102 billion. The shows that 56 percent of released funds have been utilized by the end of February 2016.
He said that the social welfare department has utilised only Rs4.32 million against the releases of Rs51.997 million. This shows only 8 percent utilisation of the allocated funds, the transport department 31 percent (utilisation of Rs184.25 million against the releases of Rs595.123 million), population welfare department has utilised Rs6 million against the released of Rs25.25 million which is only 24 percent, Mines and Mineral Department has utilised RsRs1.234 million against the releases of Rs27.372 million which is only five percent, Labour department utilisation stands at 14 percent, Livestock and Fisheries department 15 percent. On this the chief minister expressed his displeasure and directed the chief secretary to hold a development review meeting.
“The officers who fail to utilize their development funds by the end of financial year must be held accountable,” he said and added “those who work honestly with dedication and have the pain for public problems would stay with me and the rest would be replaced,” he gave a loud message.
Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that only two months are left to present budget for the next financial year. “I want you to expedite work on the uplift scheme on war footings,” he said and added “funds are available, work on development schemes is in progress only you have to gear it up with personal interest,” he said.
He added that it doesn’t mean that the funds be drained out in haphazard. “Proper and sagacious utilisation of funds is the order of the day. I have already rejuvenated Anti-corruption department and I would not spare any one if found involved in misappropriation of funds,” he warned categorically.
Replying to a question of the chief minister, the ACS (dev) Mohammad Waseem said that the buildings of six Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs) constructed in the compound of Central Prison Karachi would be completed shortly. On this the chief minister directed him to construct 14 more ATC court buildings there. He directed him to approve the scheme for next budget,” but I want you to construct their bungalows within the compound of the Central Prison for security reasons.
“I have already announced establishment of 10 more ATC courts, therefore a sizable amount must be allocated in the next budget so that these schemes can be completed,” he directed the chief secretary. The chief minister directed the chief secretary to start collecting data of the vacant positions from all the departments and their subordinate organizations. “Let the local bodies election process complete I would lift ban imposed on fresh recruitments,” he said and added that he was committed to provide employment opportunities to the youth of this province purely on merit.
He also urged the chief secretary to promote job-oriented technical education so that skilled labour and technical people could be sent abroad. “I have spoken to various diplomats and they are ready to provide employment opportunities to our skilled youth in their countries,” he said. Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that once again he would chair another development review meeting by the time he directed chief secretary to keep pushing the departments to complete their development portfolios.
For more information, contact:
Mr. Allah Bachayo Memon
Press Secretary
Chief Minister House
Tel: +92-21-99202019
Cell: +92-300-3524057 (Ext: 336)
Website: www.cmsindh.gov.pk