KARACHI: CM calls for presentations on budget by all deptts
KARACHI, April 26: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has stressed the need for presentations by all departments to ensure a good budget.
“It is imperative for preparation of an ideal budget that meets the aspirations of people,”, he said on the occasion of a presentation made by the department of planning and development at the CM’s House.
He referred to the special attention paid by the irrigation department to its performance, and said “this has produced encouraging results”.
Dr Arbab observed that canal-desilting had been carried out in a better manner, but it was not a solution to the problem as water shortage would persist until watercourses were lined.
“We will have to strengthen the bunds of canals and other watercourses, besides constructing small dams at different locations in the province,” he said, stressing on storing the rain and surplus water.
He proposed construction of a dam over Baran river to store rainwater.
Dr Arbab said that cattle farms would be set up in district headquarters to bring about a ‘white revolution’, as desired by President Pervez Musharraf, to meet the requirements of dairy farming. He called for encouraging cattle breeders by extending small loans to them for setting up dairy farms. In the first phase, cattle farms of 25-50 buffalos should be established, he suggested.
Referring to the agriculture department, the chief minister pointed out that if this department streamlined itself in the right direction, this would result in the progress of the whole country, especially Sindh which had basically an agricultural economy.
He directed the agriculture department to introduce more seed varieties and guide growers about how to achieve a better crop.
Dr Arbab pointed out that the Sindh Seed Corporation had been revived on his directive, and said this would definitely produce good and encouraging results.
The chief minister also issued special directive for the establishment of model villages in rural areas, and observed that besides the interior Sindh areas, the katchi abadis of Karachi could be converted into model villages.
He said that a model village should have all basic facilities like sewerage, clean drinking water, better communication links, etc.
The houses in such villages should be designed as per the local weather conditions to ensure a comfortable living.
The chief minister also issued directive for the establishment of one English-medium school with classes from I to XII in every taluka. For this purpose, he said, the government was ready to hire English teachers from Sri Lanka, if required.
He said all possible steps would be taken for providing quality education to students of rural areas as available to those of urban areas.
He directed the IGP to equip the Sindh police with modern weapons and equipment in order to improve the law and order. In this regard, he ordered establishment of 100 check-posts along the highways.
Adviser on finance, chief secretary, IGP, additional chief secretary planning and development and other officials were present on the occasion.—APP
