ISLAMABAD: The government has released Rs270 billion for various ongoing and new development projects under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), out of the total Rs700bn earmarked for the fiscal 2015-16.

According to the data of the ministry of planning, development and reform, Rs31,100 million had been released out of the total allocations, Rs18,692m to the Higher Education Commission.

The government released Rs1,093m to Defence Division against an allocation of Rs2,458m and Rs484m to the Capital Administration and Development Division against the Rs1,063m earmarked.

Another Rs14,029m had been provided to the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission against an allocation of Rs30,408m, while Rs7,810m went to the Railways Division against an allocation of Rs41,000m.

Similarly, Rs10,832m had been released to the Interior Division out of the Rs12,299m allocation and Rs12,126m went to the Water and Power Division against an allocation of Rs30,120m.

An amount of Rs277m was released to the Aviation Division against the allocation of Rs3,900m, Rs427m to the Cabinet Division out of Rs654m, Rs484m to the Capital Administration and Development Division out of the budgetary allocation of Rs1,063m.

The Climate Change Division had been provided with Rs6.4m, Commerce Division with Rs150m, Communication Division (other than NHA) with Rs42m, Defence Production Division Rs360m and Federal Education and Professional Training Division Rs883m.

The Finance Division was given Rs2072m, Foreign Affairs Division Rs29m, Housing and Works Division Rs808m, Industries and Production Division Rs316m, Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Rs150m and Inter Provincial Coordination Division Rs1298m.

The government also released Rs38m to the Narcotics Control Division, Rs624m to the National Food Security and Research Division, Rs8123m to the National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division, Rs118m to the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority and Rs330m to the Planning, Development and Reform Division.

The Planning Commission says it has been following a mechanism to release funds. According to the mechanism, 20 per cent of funds are released during the first quarter, 20pc in second quarter (Oct-Dec), 30pc in third quarter (Jan-March) and the remaining 30pc in the fourth quarter (April-June).

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2016