ISLAMABAD, Feb 14: The Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (Erra) decided on Thursday to release the last instalment of compensation for houses destroyed in the 2005 earthquake.

According to an official handout, the decision was taken at a meeting of the Erra council held under the chairmanship of caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro.

The meeting was told that a sum of Rs2.06 billion had already been paid to 25,124 eligible people (99.23 per cent) and it was decided that after the release of the final instalments no claim would be entertained.

The council decided that the third and fourth instalments to the affected people of Balakot would be paid together while those in Muzaffarabad would get their last instalment.

The meeting was informed that the reconstruction process had generated new opportunities for the people of the affected areas. The involvement of more than half a million people in the construction business had ushered in a new era of economic activities in the area, which would help improve the living standard of the people.

The prime minister said that the sufferings of the earthquake victims would not be forgotten and the government would strive to provide them better facilities.

While discussing a proposal for providing gas to the affected areas, the prime minister said it would not only help the people at large but also reduce the trend of deforestation.

Mr Sommro expressed satisfaction over progress of work on various projects including infrastructure development, education, health, water and sanitation and housing.

Erra deputy chairman Lt-Gen Nadeem Ahmed apprised the meeting of the progress on a number of projects in various sectors.

He said that construction of 318,365 houses had been completed and 200,948 were under construction. In rural areas of the affected region, the deputy chairman said, construction of 98 per cent of destroyed houses would be completed by June this year.Gen Ahmed said that 659,238 people had been imparted training in social and technical education, enabling them to earn a respectable living.

Master Plans of Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalakot and Balakot had been finalised and detailed designing of facilities and preparation of tender documents were under process, he said, adding that work had already been started in New Balakot and Muzaffarabad

He said 5,344 educational institutions would be reconstructed.