PESHAWAR, Sept 26: The performance of the Malakand Rural Development Project will be scrutinized by a house committee.

The decision to initiate a probe in this regard was taken by Deputy Speaker NWFP Assembly Ikramullah Shahid on Friday after an identical question was moved by MMA legislators in this regard.

Movers debated the performance of the MRDP in depth and were not satisfied with answers provided in writing by the Planning and Development Department in this regard. They suggested that the question should be referred to the committee for a thorough discussion and scrutiny.

The question was moved by Dr Zakirullah Khan, Saeed Gul, and Muhammad Amin of the MMA.

Contending that the project has failed in its primary task of improving the socio-economic condition of the Malakand area, they complained that people affiliated with the MRDP enjoyed unprecedented facilities like luxury cars, handsome salaries and other fringe benefits.

Movers were informed through a written answer that Rs2.15 million have been spent on repair of these vehicles during the past four years.

The move to refer the issue to the special committee of the house was opposed by the treasury benches.

Health Minister Inayatullah, while responding on behalf of the PE&D Minister, said that the government was considering to extend the duration of the Kohistan Development Project by one-and-a-half year. The project would expire on Dec 31, adding that the government intends to extend it till June 30, 2005.

He also said that the government had instructed the department concerned to give age relaxation to job seekers in the project.

Referring to another query by Khalil Abbas of the ANP, the minister said that the provincial government had not yet received any funds for several projects, including “Promotion of Household Security” in 200 villages, “Rehabilitation of Small-scale Irrigation Schemes and Watercourses”, “Poverty Alleviation in Upper Dir and Lower Dir Project” and “Participation and Gender Sensitive Poverty Reduction Strategy”. These projects were to be funded by the FAO and the UNDCP.

Members of the assembly were informed that the Asian Development Bank was providing financial assistance for the “Reproductive Health Project”.—APP