KARACHI, Sept 6: Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim said on Wednesday that the political system in the country had gained strength under the leadership of President General Pervez Musharraf and the devolution of power would further be improved.

Addressing to a luncheon hosted in the Chief Minister’s House in honour of participants of the National Management Course 85 Inland Study Tour (South) on Wednesday, he said that Rs50 billion had been earmarked for uplift projects for the first time in the history of Sindh, which would help raise the living standard of people.

Arbab Rahim said that out of Rs50 billion uplift budget, Rs24 billion had been earmarked for provincial annual development programme, Rs8 billion for annual development programme of district governments, Rs5.3 billion for foreign-funded projects, Rs10.5 billion for federal government-funded projects and Rs1.05 billion for Sindh devolved social sector programme.

Pointing out that Rs18.18 billion has been earmarked for improving law and order in Sindh, the chief minister said that the situation had been improved. He said that crimes like kidnapping for ransom were controlled, while efforts were on to check street crimes, especially snatching of vehicle and mobile phone in Karachi.

He said that a 200-acre dairy village was being set up in each district to increase production of milk and meat. He said that in the first phase such villages would be set up in Mithi, Thatta, Tando Allahyar and Shahdadkot districts. He said that these colonies would be provided with modern water, sewerage and storage systems.

He said that a modern dairy village would also be set up near Karachi at Ghaghar rail crossing. He said that the Export Processing Zone was setting up this village with the help of government and private sector.

Regarding healthcare sector, he said that modern medical facilities would be provided in all district headquarters hospitals. He said that funds for health sector were increasing from Rs750 million to Rs850 million. He said that separate funds were also tagged for provision of modern diagnostic facilities in all big government hospitals of the province.

About the irrigation system in the province, he said that canal extension of 70kms and 50 new canals projects were being carried out. He said that 2,600km area of canals would be desilted. He said that canal cement lining programme was also in progress would be improve water availability in the province.

Arbab Rahim said that uplift budget for agriculture sector was raised by 103 per cent, while 23 per cent raise was made in funds for forests, wildlife and coastal development sectors. He said that the government had approved projects of desalination, and power generation through windmills. He said that Rs200 million would be spent on these projects.

He said that Rs12.7 billion had been allocated to improve educational system in the province. He said that school children would be provided free textbooks. Besides, he said, a monthly stipend of Rs1,000 would be given to girls studying in classes V to X, while the female students of areas with very low literacy rate would be given additional stipend. He said that teachers’ unions were also banned to improve the standard of education.

He said that Sindh province was catering 70 per cent needs of natural gas of the whole country. He also answered various questions of the participants of delegation.

Sindh Chief Secretary Fazalur Rehman and Principal Staff College Lahore Lt-Gen (retd) Javed Hassan also spoke.—APP/PPI