Rs38bn allocated for development projects

Thursday, June 11, 2009

ISLAMABAD: The government has allocated Rs38 billion in the budget for 2009-10 for executing development projects in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Northern Areas.

According to the executive summary for the annual plan 2009-10, which will be released along with budget 2009-10 documents, the government has allocated Rs12.1 billion for ensuring good governance in 2009-10 against expenditures of Rs9.7 billion in the outgoing fiscal year.

“Funds have been allocated mainly for governance reform projects and programmes such as tax administration reforms, improvement in audit and accounts, public sector capacity building, access to justice, devolution and police reforms and public information and statistical management,” the document shows.

For special areas including the AJK, FATA and Northern Areas, Rs38 billion has been provided in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2009-10 against expected utilisation of Rs23.3 billion in outgoing fiscal year 2008-09. For special programmes covering People’s Works Programme-1 and People’s Works Programme-II, Rs35 billion has been earmarked in the PSDP against Rs32.2 billion in 2008-09.

Water resource development: The government has allocated Rs57.8 billion for water resource development in 2009-10 against expected utilisation of Rs36.2 billion in 2008-09. Some important projects included resettlement, improvement of water courses, Thal, Katchi and Rainee canals, eight small and medium dams in each province, Mirani, Sabakzai, Satpara and Gomal dams, Khanki barrage, Right Bank Outfall Drainage (RBOD-II) and RBOD-III.

Power: In order to overcome energy shortages, Rs41.3 billion has been earmarked in 2009-10 against expected utilization of Rs18 billion in the outgoing fiscal year.

The portfolio of the power projects include Basha Dam, Guddu, Chicho Ki Malaian and Nandi Power Plants, Neelum Jhelum, Chashma 2, Chashma 3 and Chashma 4, Golan Gol, Khan Khawar, Dubair Khawar, Jinnah Hydro Power and Thar Coal.

Transport and Communication: The PSDP for 2009-10 provides Rs40 billion to highways against expected utilization of Rs26 billion in the outgoing fiscal year.


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