HYDERABAD, Nov 10: The implementation of the Hyderabad Development Package, announced by the president and the prime minister, was discussed at a meeting held at the DCO office here on Monday.

The meeting discussed proposals and problems with regard to the package and adopted various recommendations for approval from the provincial steering committee for project implementation.

The recommendations included preparation of a master plan before starting construction work in Hyderabad’s three talukas, appointment of a project director, consultant, engineer and deputy project engineer as technical assistants, declaring the local government as administrative department for the project, awarding work contracts through open tenders on competitive rates and establishment of a public relation unit to ensure feedback from the people.

The DCO told the meeting a meeting of the provincial steering committee would be held in a week and it would be convinced to prepare the master plan through consultants before starting the development work.

However, he proposed the works on schemes like flyovers, filter plants and development works in rural areas could be executed without waiting for the mater plan’s approval.

He directed the officers concerned to prepare PC-I of the schemes and hoped the Central Development Working Party would approve the schemes as the federal government was funding the project.

The DCO asked taluka Nazims to submit their water supply and drainage schemes to the HDA director general as soon as possible so that the same could be incorporated in the master plan. He also asked the director general to prepare independent schemes.

He said an integrated strategy was required to avoid duplication in development schemes which would cause delay in starting the work.

Earlier, the DCO was briefed on development schemes being carried out in Hyderabad.

The communication and works EDO briefed him about the present status of development schemes being executed under the Khushhal Pakistan Programme, Annual Development Programme and the Sugar Cess Development Fund.

He said the delay in the release of development funds was affecting most of the schemes and his department was facing liabilities of Rs80 million.

The DCO also attended a meeting at his office that discussed the Bhit Shah beautification plan.

He directed the Auqaf administrator of Bhit Shah to submit PC-I of the project so that it could be evaluated before implementation.

He said construction of roads, water supply and drainage schemes, extension of the shrine and development of Karar Lake and a park in Bhit Shah should be included in the plan.