KARACHI, Aug 2: Sindh Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday stressed on result-oriented utilisation of Rs3 billion allocated by the provincial government for the Sindh Social Relief Fund to eliminate poverty.

He was presiding over a meeting of secretaries and other officials of government departments to devise strategy for efficient utilisation of SSR funds.

The meeting discussed different proposals including using the funds for regular investment and micro-financing to provide immediate relief to the deserving persons.

It was observed that since the amount of Rs3 billion would be earmarked in budget annually under this head, a suitable system was required to regulate the funds on the lines of banking system.

It further discussed the basic elements that play major role in health, education, social welfare and poverty reduction projects.

The finance secretary was assigned to prepare a line of action for the SSRF and present it to the chief secretary next week so that provision of funds through SSRF and Zakat department to deserving people could be ensured.

The matters related to credit utilisation and usage of loans in agriculture department in Sindh, revamping of irrigation, social sector rural development programme and the role of NGOs were also discussed.

Senior Member Board of Revenue Syed Anwar Haider, Additional Chief Secretary Local Government Mirza Karim Baig, Additional Chief Secretary Development Ghulam Sarwar Khero, Secretary Works and Services Syed Faisal Saood, Secretary Finance Malik Israr Hussain, Secretary Zakat, Usher Sikandar Ali Kerio, Secretary Implementation Nazar Hussain Mahar, Secretary General Administration Abdul Qadir Mangi and other officials also attended the meeting.—PPI