TANK, Jan 29: The government was exploring all options to bring the Federally Administered Tribal Areas at par with the developed areas, said the Political Agent of Tank, Syed Mohsin Shah, on Monday.

A detailed implementation plan was being undertaken during the fiscal 2006-07 for utilising Rs693 million in a number of developmental schemes in the Frontier Region of Tank, he said.

He said the government was keen on promoting the backward areas of Fata for which a huge sum would be utilised on socio-economic development, as the tribal region had been turned into a focal point, Mohsin Shah added.

Giving details of the ongoing uplift work, he said the provision of basic amenities was essential for improving the standard of living there, He said the ADP of education sector contained certain uplift projects, including upgradation of two primary schools to middle status whereas expansion work to this effect was already in progress at an estimated cost of Rs15 million.

He said the government was committed to providing better healthcare opportunities across remote areas and for which three dispensaries at a cost of Rs5 million were being established.

Apart from other welfare projects the potable water issue was also kept in view by the government and work on five tubewells was underway. Syed Mohsin Shah said that better communication facility was a pledge of the government for a sustainable socio economic progress, adding road infrastructure was being rectified within specified plan of implementation.

He stated the completion of Dara Bain road via Baber Mela at a cost of Rs40 million will play a vital role in resolving the communication problem being faced by the people of far-flung mountainous localities of Fata and construction of road was in progress.

Mohsin Shah while referring to agriculture added that the government was well aware of agriculture and was giving special focus to this sector. The government was making efforts to provide better facilities to farmers.

He added that an additional grant of Rs40 million on account of a special package from the Governor NWFP under the cover of Accelerated Development was also being undertaken.—APP