ISLAMABAD: Currency notes valuing Rs 1.78 trillion and coins worth Rs6.2 billion are currently in circulation in the country, Minister for Finance, Revenue, Planning and Development Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh Friday told National Assembly.

In a written reply to the question of Nighat Parveen Mir, he said, advance increment permissible on additional qualification to the federal government employee has not yet been restored. There is no proposal to restore the facility, which was withdrawn in December, 2001.

Replying to another question the minister in charge of Prime Minister's Secretariat said, a sum of Rs436 million has been allocated for the construction of road from Rawalakot to Bagh in AJK. Rs250 million has already been released while pending liabilities of contractor are Rs50 million.

Meanwhile replying to another question regarding the non release of last installment to the affectees of 2005 earthquake, he said, as many as 590,611 affectees have already been paid the last installment.

Regarding non payment of last installment to the affectees of village Upper Shahother UC Garlat, Tehsil Balakot,district Manshera, he said as many as 119 affectees out of a total of 121 have been paid last installment of Housing subsidy.

Only two affecteees have not been paid last installment by the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) in 34 union councils of earthquake affected areas of AJK and KPK including union council Garlat.

One affectee Ms Zaibunisa did not construct here house in accordance with approved seismic guidelines. Other affectee Mazhar Hussain did not start work at lintel level of his house within the stipulated time.

As per policy, the affectees falling in such category were not eligible for the last installment. However ERRA council has reviewed the policy and relaxed condition in such cases.

He said the last installment could not be released by PPAF due to non availability of funds on the expiry of their funding agreement with the donors and closure of the program.

The amount would be paid on availability of funds, he assured.