PESHAWAR, April 21: Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani has asked elected representatives to keep a vigil on development schemes in their areas. He was talking to members of the provincial assembly at the Chief Minister secretariat on Wednesday.

The chief minister said that problems related to provincial government departments would be addressed. All formalities for schemes under DERA should be given final shape so that these could be launched at the earliest.

Mr Durrani asked the elected representatives to keep in touch with the people and take them on board in the decision-making process. The funds should be used for the people's benefit, and these resource must not go waste.

The chief minister said that it was good to not that education ratio in Chitral was better than other districts, and that people of backward areas were demanding better educational facilities. He said that easy access to the government would be ensured. Every penny of the exchequer would be used for the collective good and wellbeing of the people.

Referring to the Kohistan package, the CM said it will change the socio-economic complexion of the district. He said comprehensive policy had been worked out for uniform development in all the districts. The backward areas would receive more of their share in the developmental exercise.

He said that billions of rupees had been released for the overall development of the province. Equal funding to all members without any discrimination had been ensured.

He said that discretionary grant was meant for the poor and the deserving. The selection criterion was strict and based on merit, he added. About the finalization of the next ADP, the chief minister said a meeting at the divisional level, to be attended by all MPAs would be convened and the people's aspirations would be taken care of.

On Tuesday, Mr Durrani agreed to lease out government land at Dabgari Garden to the Benevolent Fund Board. It would be developed for commercial and residential purposes through joint partnership. He also directed establishment of a carpet village at a suitable place in the suburbs of Peshawar.

He also directed speedy development of Nishtarabad Government Residential Colony for residential and commercial purposes. He said that a master plan for the beautification of Peshawar had already been made. Any other plan for the city should only add to its beauty.

He issued these directives, and made observations, during a whirlwind tour of different city parts, including Dabgari Garden, Nishtarabad, and the now defunct GTS Workshop, and carpet village at Nasirpur. MPAs Dr Zakir Shah, Iftikhar Ahmad Jhagra, District Naib Nazim Dr Iqbal Khalil, Nazim Town-I Haroon Bilour, DCO Peshawar and others were also present at the occasion.

During the surprise, the CM was briefed about the government land at Dabgari Garden and the plan for exploiting it for commercial and residential purposes. The chief minister agreed to lease it out to the Benevolent Fund Board for joint partnership.

He emphasized that the land be developed for commercial and residential purposes so that it could be used to the capacity. On the one hand it would generate revenue at the ratio of 30-70 to the government and the Benevolent Fund, respectively, and on the other hand it would also meet the residential demand of government servants. He said the design of the plan should add to the beauty of the area.