RAWALPINDI, Sept 3: The district government has failed to complete the projects in education sector for which the provincial government had allocated Rs151 million, Dawn has learnt.

The government had allocated Rs147million for the Education Sector Reforms (ESR) and Rs14 million for the Maintenance and Repairs of School/College Buildings. Sources said the district government had been directed to spend the amount within the financial year 2003-2004 but only 30 per cent of it could be utilized.

Under the Education Sector Reforms, the district government was supposed to prepare comprehensive plans for construction of buildings for such schools whose structures had outlived their utility, do additional construction works in elementary schools and provide facilities like furniture, electricity and water where needed.

Similarly, the Rs14 million meant for maintenance and repairs of school/college buildings was also supposed to be spent during the same year. But this project could not be completed and only 30-40 per cent of the amount could be utilised.

The district government had framed a steering committee comprising MNAs, MPAs, officials of the local administration and education department to identify schools and colleges which were functioning in rented buildings or whose buildings were in a dilapidated condition.

The committee had to assess the estimated costs and approve the launching of the projects. But differences among the MNAs and MPAs of different areas and district administration on priorities delayed the schemes as a result of which only 30 per cent of the amount could be utilized, the sources said.

An education officials said the Punjab Chief Minister Ch Pervez Illahi had strictly directed the district government that all funds should be utilized within the financial year 2003-2004. Had all the funds been spent properly, an equal amount or even more than that would have been provided for the current year 2004-2005 and the next financial year 2005-2006, he said.