KOHAT, April 13: NWFP Minister for Irrigation Hafiz Akhtar Ali has said the provincial government has approved development projects worth Rs90 million for Kohat district during the current fiscal.

He claimed that this would bring a revolution in the agriculture sector and increase the income of people associated with the sector.

He said that by inaugurating various irrigation projects in Kaghazai, Doctor Banda and Ambar Banda worth Rs10.43 million the MMA government was doing its level best to improve the living standard of the people and to root out corruption.

He said that they had successfully checked the NGO culture and the corruption rate in the NWFP was lower than other provinces.

He also inspected the under-construction Tanda Dam Colony which would cost Rs 7.4 million and the Ambar Banda water supply scheme, which would be completed at a cost of Rs 2.7 million.

Later, he distributed stipend among male and female students of Madressah Shahadat Aalmia on the completion of their course. Successful candidates were paid Rs 150,000 at a simple ceremony held at the District Council Hall.

The function was also addressed by dictrict office-bearers of JUI-F Maulana Abdul Hayee, Mohammad Jamil Paracha, the district coordination officer, Kohat, Shahab Ali Shah, and MNA Mufti Ibrar Sultan.

MNA Mufti Ibrar said that the construction of an inn for the attendants of patients in the Liaquat Memorial Hospital and half a dozen other projects would bring about a change for the better in the district.

NWFP PML President and State Minister for Water and Power Ameer Muqam announced Rs100.44 million for various development projects a few months back. Similarly, Rs115 million for work on major electrification, communication, replacement of old water pipelines in the city and repair of city roads, announced by NWFP Chief Minister Mohammad Akram Durrani during his visit along with leader of the opposition last February. But funds for these projects are yet to be released.

There is a tussle going on between district, tehsil governments and line departments to carry out the projects, which is hindering progress on the approved schemes.

He is expected to inaugurate a gas supply scheme in Bilitang and Nadra office in Gumbat next week. Since then the provincial ministers had also been announcing special funds for Kohat to secure the National Assembly seat grabbed by the JUI-F during the last general elections. The amount which he announced for Kohat last year is yet to be released.