KARACHI, Dec 1: Sindh Chief Minister Sardar Ali Mohammad Khan Mahar on Monday presided over a high-level meeting to review progress of ongoing development schemes in the province.

The meeting was informed that the Works and Services Department had undertaken work on 104 development schemes in the province, of which 52 were new schemes and included construction of two bridges.

It was told that Rs781.755 million were allocated for these projects, out of which Rs259.268 million had been released.

Provincial Secretary, W&S, told the meeting that 48 pre cent (Rs125.055 million) of the released funds had been spent by Oct 30, 2003.

Speaking at the meeting, the CM said that development activities in Sindh were geared up on wide scale and till Nov 30, Rs4 billion were released, which was twice the funds released last year.

He said that in the first four months of the current fiscal year, 31 per cent work had been completed and 85 schemes pertaining to roads in the province were approved.

He added that road sector schemes would enhance development activities in the province and help the common man.

The meeting was told that federal government had released One billion rupees for construction of Coastal Road. Keeping in view the pressing need of building roads to develop the backward areas of Tharparkar, the federal government was asked to provide more funds, it was added.

The meeting was informed that 21 new schemes would be completed with the additional funds, while 8, 11, 13, 13 and 6 road construction schemes were underway at an accelerated pace in Hyderabad, Dadu, Badin/Thatta, Mirpurkhas and Ghotki respectively and tenders for remaining schemes would be floated soon.

Mr Mahar directed the early completion of road construction schemes to facilitate the people.

The meeting was attended by Sindh Chief Secretary Dr Mutawakkil Kazi, Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Ghulam Sarwar Kherio, Secretary Works and Services, Ashfaq Ahmed Memon, DCO Ghotki, Secretary Finance, Israr Ahmed Shaikh and other officials.—PPI