ISLAMABAD, April 26: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday directed the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra) to expedite its activities in the earthquake-hit areas.

He was speaking at a special meeting held here to review Erra performance regarding reconstruction and rehabilitation.

The prime minister asked the authority to involve elected representatives while giving final shape to proposals regarding reconstruction projects. He stressed the need for ensuring transparency and accountability in the reconstruction process.

The prime minister decided to hold the Erra council meeting every month instead of after three months with a view to expediting the reconstruction process.

He approved Rs700 million for land acquisition in the new Balakot city.

He directed AJK and NWFP governments to allocate funds for maintenance of new facilities to benefit people in the long run.

He asked Erra officials to come up with solid suggestions regarding construction of new Balakot city in the next meeting.

He also directed them to expedite efforts to launch work on the projects of new Muzaffarabad city, Bagh and Rawlakot cities.

The Erra deputy chairman informed the meeting that reconstruction activities would be completed by April next year.

He said that Erra was working with the governments concerned in twelve sectors. He said that so far over Rs2 billion had been disbursed to people to reconstruct their homes. He claimed that all schools, hospitals, banks, offices and roads in the effected areas were now operational.

He informed the meeting that 356,451 houses had so far been completed while 163,747 would be completed shortly.