LAHORE, Feb 7: Funds available with the city district government for utilization through the citizen community boards (CCBs) have increased to Rs420 million owing to tardy pace of work.

This was disclosed during a meeting held at Jinnah Hall here on Tuesday with District Nazim Mian Amer Mahmood in the chair to review the utilization of CCBs funds. Hundreds of millions of rupees were also available with towns and union councils for utilization through the community boards.

He was informed that only 10 projects had been completed through the CCBs so far and 28 were being executed at a total cost of Rs77 million. Work on another 25 development projects would be started during the current financial year at a cost of Rs55 million. The CDG would provide 80 per cent of funds for every project and the remaining 20 per cent would be given by the CCB concerned.

The nazim was further informed that a special cell, comprising finance, education, health and works departments officials, had been constituted by the community development department to encourage the formation of CCBs and providing assistance in planning and execution of projects.

The nazim directed the citizen community development department sector officers to inspect the schemes being executed by the CCBs every month and ensure prompt release of funds for expeditious completion. UC nazims should encourage formation of CCBs for execution of small-scale projects.