LAYYAH: The project of Government Polytechnic Institute for Women has not been completed even nine years after its launch.

The Punjab government had approved the institute project in 2006. Estimated to cost Rs126.850 million, the institute was planned to cater to the needs of technical, vocational and engineering students of Layyah, Khushab, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur and was scheduled to complete in 2008.

The Pervaiz Elahi-led government issued first installment of Rs12.691 million and three contractors were selected to undertake the project. In 2008, the government changed after the general elections as was the fate of the project as just Rs8 million were released that year which meant its discontinuation.

The PML-N government didn’t show any interest in the project though it released Rs40 million in 2009-10. Funds of Rs22.230 million were promised to complete the project in 2012 but it could not be materialised.

According to rules, the government has to pay according to rate variation to the contractor. During all these years the prices of construction material also went up as a result of which the project remains incomplete.

An official says Rs8.9 million have recently been released and “we will now complete this project and hand over the building to the authorities concerned next month.”

The Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority district manager said the institute had earlier planned to start three-year diploma for women in dress making and information technology, one-year diploma in fashion design and six-month certification in domestic tailoring and computer application but all these programmes were postponed.

“As the executive engineer provincial buildings has assured us that they will hand over the building next month, we will start six-month certificate classes immediately,” he said. He said the interviews for teaching and other staff were held on Aug 18 and appointment letters would be issued next week.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2015

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