KARACHI, May 7: The Chief Secretary, Fazalur Rehman, has stressed the administration department to gear up implementation of the annual development programme 2005-06 for timely completion of projects.

He also directed maintaining liaison with the Secretary Implementation, Nazar Hussain Maher, who has been assigned the inspection task of development work.

A report by him will be submitted to the chief minister, a statement said on Sunday.Referring to a report on ongoing development works, the chief secretary reminded the Works and Services Department to prepare a comprehensive plan for implementation of schemes of the Irrigation and Power Department on priority basis.

He also sought a report on hiring the services of retired school teachers in schools/areas where female teachers were not available.

The chief secretary also directed the education department to propose a line of action to reopen closed schools with the association of the private sector.

He asked the department to expedite work for establishing English medium schools at the taluka level, and submit a proposal for recruiting school teachers from Sri Lanka with reference to a decision taken in a meeting at the Chief Minister House held on April 25, 2006.Mr Fazal stressed the need for taking prompt action for reviving abandoned milk plants in the province, and establishing cattle farming units in each district headquarters to supply pure and hygienic milk to users at reasonable price.

He also said that transparency and quality should be ensured in development works, asking the Additional Chief Secretary (Development), Ghulam Sarwar Khehro, to visit Thatta Sajawal Bridge and submit a report regarding the bridge’s structure.

—APP