LAHORE, April 11: Punjab Energy Secretary Rab Nawaz is being reportedly changed for not initiating new power projects which he says he could not because of lack of funds that were included in the annual budget but were never released.

Another accusation against the secretary is that he could not come up to the expectations of the chief minister while arranging the national energy conference that was presided over by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in Lahore on Monday. Mr Rab Nawaz says he has himself requested his transfer because it is being expected from him to start energy projects without funds which have never been released despite his repeated requests. The energy conference was a success and everybody accepts it, he adds.

Sources told Dawn on Wednesday that Chief Minister Shabaz Sharif had expressed his dissatisfaction over the secretary’s performance. “The chief minister demands new power projects but the secretary demands funds for them,” an official said, revealing that search was on for a suitable officer to replace Mr Rab Nawaz.

Insiders say an amount of Rs9 billion was allocated for the energy sector in the provincial budget 2011-12. But, they say, the funds for the desired power projects were not released on the ground that it was a “notional allocation.”

The energy department had finalised three to four small-sized projects that could be completed during the current fiscal year but they could not be started allegedly because of lack of funds. These projects included the 2.5MW Islamia University, Bahawalpur, power plant.

The department had also worked on the projects that could be started now but would get completed next year. It wanted funds for hiring consultants for preparing detailed designs of these projects but the amount was not released despite repeated demands.

Insiders said the department wanted that its projects should be approved by the Punjab Power Development Board (PPDB) and not by the Planning and Development Board. The PPDB was best suited for approving energy projects because it had around eight experts. In addition, P&D chairman and finance secretary could also watch the government’s interests as they too were the PPDB members.

They said the department’s viewpoint was accepted by the provincial government, and the cabinet gave its consent for getting the projects approved by the PPDB and not the P&D. It was also decided at the government level to release Rs500 million to the department for the new projects.

But, the insiders said, the cabinet decision was not implemented. The department moved for funds but the case was again sent to the P&D. A summary was sent to the chief minister for a decision but it never returned, they claimed.