QUETTA, June 23: The Balochistan government has set aside Rs14.28 billion for Annual Development Plan for the next fiscal year. The Balochistan Finance Minister Syed Ehsan Shah in his budget speech on Wednesday said it was proposed last year a Balochistan bank would be set up.

"We have worked a lot on this project and may launch this project if environment was found feasible." He said his government intended to launch a private sector television channel.

Outlining the main features of Rs14.28 billion development outlay he said that his government had taken major initiatives in developing water sector, city planning, infrastructure facilities and in health and education.

Balochistan being the biggest province of the country that constitute almost 44 per cent of the Pakistan's total size, roads development had got the top priority. The Balochistan ADP for next fiscal year allocates Rs 4.52 billion for road development in the province.

He said that Balochistan government attaches high importance to the education. Investment in education was highly productive as it contributes towards the development and progress of the Nation.

This government is committed to universalizing elementary education with optimum concentration for up-grading existing facilities, improving methods of instruction and ensuring good governance.

The minister announced that the 2004-05 provides Rs1.83 billion for education sector. In addition to this a block allocation of Rs200 million has been made to meet the deficiencies of equipment and materials in this sector.

The Government has allocated a grant of Rs150 million for four Universities in Balochistan. The Federal Government has indicated a grant of an equivalent amount for these Universities.

He recalled that in 2003-04, Rs1173.8 million were allocated for Education Sector including Foreign Project Assistance (FPA) of Rs341.3 million and 119 schemes (50 on-going and 69 new) were envisaged to be executed.

However, 67 schemes are being completed during this year, which include primary, middle and high school buildings and addition of classrooms in various schools, Balochistan College Teacher's Academy, Establishment of Home Economics College at Quetta and Completion of work on construction of buildings of 19 colleges.

In the health sector government will pay special attention and a 50 bedded hospital has also been proposed for Gwadar, which would further be expanded to 200 bedded hospital. Cardiovascular ward is being established in the civil hospital Quetta.

Government of Balochistan has given due priority to the Agriculture sector. In the year 2004-05 budgetary provision for Agriculture development has been increased to Rs406 million to achieve self-sufficiency in food and to alleviate poverty through an integrated Programme.

For effective water management, through lining of water courses and construction of water storage tanks, a programme with an investment of over Rs1 billion will be launched with the help of Federal Government so that precious water could be saved.

Under this programme 7100 water courses and 6,336 water tanks would be constructed for farmers. In addition to this, efficient irrigation and water systems i.e. trickle, bubbler would be encouraged and installed.

In order to mitigate recent drought's effects, schemes for the provision of seed, fertilizer, pesticides, spray machinery and water pumping sets on subsidized cost has been included in the PSDP 2004-2005.

For the promotion of low water consuming and high profit earning crops, new schemes would also be started. He announced that the government plans to set up a Balochistan Water Management Authority, which would be responsible for carrying out studies on underground and surface water reservoirs and also analyse proposals for water conservation and use.

The Public Health Engineering department after completion of more than 700 water supply schemes transferred them to the beneficiaries to run and maintain these schemes. Some of these schemes need rehabilitation and repair for which Rs756 million had been allocated. Forestry has claimed Rs47.5 million next fiscal year.

Government took serious note of declining trend in shrimp production. It was decided to launch a project for introduction of shrimp culture in Balochistan at a cost of Rs96.3 million. The objective of the project is to encourage the shrimp production and to organize the shrimp trade on commercial lines.

The ADP allocates more than Rs800 million for health. An MRI machine has been procured for installation at Sandeman (Provincial) Hospital, Quetta. An angiography machine along with allied accessories has also been purchased for installation at Bolan Medical Complex Hospital, Quetta.

Both the schemes have cost Rs230 million. A sum of Rs97 million is being provided for environmental upgradation. Development of Hingol National Park and establishment of Recreational Park at Mianghundi Quetta have been undertaken.

Rural electrification and power supply in the province is expected to involve investment of Rs65 million. Following schemes are being taken up next year: Village Electrification Rs30 million; Electricity production with sector and wind energy Rs.22.0 million

In the Budget for 2004-05, the development programme provide substantial funds for independent prosecution services. Consumer Protection Tribunals will be set up and an awareness campaign in this connection will be undertaken. All laws will be translated in Urdu and published in due course.

An environmental tribunal will also be set up. Judicial Allowance for the Judges is proposed to be enhanced under the programme. The budgetary allocations for District Public Safety Commissions have been provided and their level is being rationalized.

City Planning is another area where the government is taking an initiative. The government plans to make allocations for new city/urban centres to reduce pressure on Quetta. He announce that eligibility for insurance amount is being increased from 60 to 65 years or till five years after retirement of government servant whichever is earlier.

Apart from the Provincial PSDP of Rs.14280.3 million, the Federal Government is also spending huge amounts on mega projects in Balochistan which include Mirani dam, Kachhi Canal, extension of Pat Feeder Canal, Kirthar Canal and Balochistan effluent disposal project.

Allocation for Federal Schemes in water sector is more than Rs5000 million. An amount of Rs5000 million will be spent on road sector in Balochistan which include Balochistan Coastal highway project.

In addition, the projects like Kila Saifullah, Zhob - D.I Khan road, Kila Saifullah-DG Khan-Multan road, Notal- Sibi-Dhadar road, Gwadar Turbat-Hoshab road, Awaran- Khuzdar road and Kalat-Quetta-Chaman road are also included.

The Federal Government in 2004-05 would spend another Rs5000 million on Gwadar port. Federal Government would also provide Rs20000 million for the two schemes relating to law and order i.e. conversion of B area into A area and raising of Balochistan Constabulary.