GILGIT, July 3: The federal government has made a block allocation of Rs36.99 billion for 10 years in the public sector development programme (PSDP) for various ongoing and new projects being executed in Northern Areas.

According to the PSDP document Rs1.68bn has been allocated for the fiscal year 2002-03 against Rs1.22bn of last year.

According to a three-year allocation plan Rs3.61bn will be spent in 2003-04 and Rs4.41bn in 2004-05.

However, official sources in the Northern Areas Planning and Development Department told Dawn that Rs1.547bn has been allocated for the Northern Areas in the current fiscal year (2002-03) and the PSDP original document shows the allocation at Rs1.68bn.

The major portion of the PSDP allocation will be spent on mega projects in communication, power and education sectors.

Under the PSDP Rs200 million has been allocated for the Satpara dam project. The project will be completed by June 2006 at a total cost of Rs2.09bn.

They said that two major power projects — the 18MW Nalter and 4MW Guro power stations — in Gilgit district are being undertaken.

The government has earmarked over Rs176m for the Nalter power project for which the Chinese Exim Bank has extended loan.

Simiallrly, the officials said, Rs326m has been allocated for the four-megawatt Guro power project that has almost been completed and it would become operational within months after the installation of a circuit-breaker.

The officials added that the current PSDP grant is the biggest and record financial push in the history of Northern Areas that is almost double that of previous grants.

The officials said that over 215 development projects were being executed under the grant and some 57 projects have been completed so far.