PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government will allocate major chunk of Annual Development Programme to ongoing schemes and new schemes would be reflected in the budget only on need basis.

The decision was made in the meeting of provincial cabinet held here on Thursday with Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in the chair, said a statement.

The cabinet decided that despite the financial crunches due to the prevailing coronavirus situation, development portfolio of the province in the next financial budget would not be compromised.

Cabinet decides new projects will be reflected in the programme only on need basis

It was decided that major chunk of the upcoming Annual Development Programme (ADP) would be allocated for the completion of ongoing schemes whereas new developmental schemes would be reflected in the programme only on need basis subject to 100 per cent feasibility.

The chief minister told the cabinet that strengthening of health infrastructure in order to make it compatible with the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic as well as relief activities would be the top priority of the provincial government in the next budget.

He said that 100 per cent releases against the allocations were made for developmental projects prior to the coronavirus situation but due to the lockdown measures, the pace of utilisation of the funds had slowed down. He added that at least 85 per cent utilisation of the released funds would be ensured by the end of the current financial year.

“Soon after the approval of budget 2020-21, all departments will be given strict timelines for the completion of developmental,” Mr Khan said. He added that the ministers concerned and administrative secretaries would ensure completion of those developmental schemes as per the given timelines failing which they would be taken to task.

He directed the cabinet members and secretaries to focus on their developmental budget and regularly review progress on the developmental schemes so that those projects of public welfare could be completed timely.

The chief minister directed the elementary and secondary education department to ensure implementation of E-transfer policy in letter and spirit for posting and transfer of teachers and ensure transparency in enforcement of the policy.

He also directed the administration department to make necessary arrangements for holding cabinet meeting at least twice a month after the end of current financial year. He added that necessary arrangements would also be made for maintaining social distance during the cabinet meetings.

Touching upon the wheat and flour situation in the province, Mr Khan said that all available options would be utilised to ensure availability of those essential items to the people of the province.

Regarding the coronavirus situation, he said that the prime minister’s vision to contain the outbreak of the pandemic as well as to protect the vulnerable segments of society against poverty would be the guiding principle for the provincial government to deal with the situation.

The cabinet condoled deaths of MNA Munir Orakzai, MPA Jamshed Kakakhel and health professionals, who recently lost their lives due to coronavirus pandemic and offered fateha for them.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2020