KARACHI, Dec 6: The development schemes costing to the tune of Rs9.55 billion are being implemented in Sindh under different heads to improve the existing facilities being offered to the common man.

These schemes, which pertain to roads, schools, repairing dispensaries, drainage schemes, water supply schemes, etc, are part of the Khushhal Pakistan Programme and the Annual Development Programme and are being implemented by the elected representatives under the new system of the local government.

Sindh Chief Secretary Muhammad Javed Ashraf Hussain, who presided over a high-level meeting of district Nazims from all over the province, administrative secretaries, the District Coordination Officers, a representative of the 5 Corps and of HESCO, urged the participants to work together for the success of the new system and resolve the remaining problems, if any.

Reviewing the progress on KPP phase II which was worth Rs 1.8 billion, the meeting was informed that out of 692 schemes, 650 schemes had been executed while the remaining few were near completion.

Referring to the phase III of KPP, to be launched early next year with Rs2 billion, the chief secretary said that it would create about 50,000 new jobs.

He asked Nazims to identify and prioritize uplift schemes in consultation with their DCOs for the third phase before Dec 31. The chief secretary also informed the Nazims that in line with the spirit of the new system, the district governments had been empowered to approve schemes worth Rs20 million without any reference to the provincial government.

The meeting reviewed in detail the ADP 2001-2002 totalling Rs 5.57 billion and it was noted that 35 per cent of the released amount had been utilized so far. The current ADP provides for completion of 994 projects all over the province. The chief secretary emphasised the utilization of the funds before the end of the financial year.

The meeting expressed satisfaction over the progress on food support programme — a programme intended to benefit about 259,000 eligible and deserving persons, with total allocation of about Rs260 million. The chief secretary directed that the remaining amount should be disbursed before Eid-ul-Fitr.

Regarding right sizing exercise which was carried out in different departments the meeting was informed that out of 831 employees who were declared surplus, a total of 549 had already been absorbed in various departments. The chief secretary stressed the need to absorb the remaining employees at the earliest.

The meeting was informed that the dispute arrears upto June 2000 had been settled and in seven out of 17 districts, substantial progress had been made on reconciliation of current dues. An amount of Rs2 billion for the financial years 2001-2002 has already been paid by the provincial government to HESCO.

The chief secretary appreciated the keen interest being taken by Zila Nazims in the exercise and directed the DCOs and various departments to expedite the reconciliation exercise, which was already under way, by Dec 31st.—APP