RAWALPINDI, June 7: The Punjab government has directed the district coordination officers (DCOs) throughout the province to expedite the projects identified by the opposition members of the provincial assembly , official sources said.

In this regard, a letter issued to the DCOs, stated: "It is desired that tangible progress be made with regard to the implementation of Tamir-i-Punjab Programme pertaining to constituencies other than those of the treasury benches for the financial year 2003-04."

"It is requested that efforts may please be geared up to complete the formalities like identification of schemes, issuance of administrative approval, technical sanction as well as execution of projects pertaining to the constituencies of opposition members in an expeditious manner and on priority basis," it further stated.

There were reports that in certain districts, the officials were creating hurdles in the execution of the projects of opposition members. The opposition members brought this matter to the notice of the local bodies minister.

An opposition member of the provincial assembly, talking to this reporter, said the officials had been raising uncalled for objections to their projects. The situation has not only been causing inordinate delay in the execution of work, but also embarrassment to the members in front of their electorate.

The MPA said the financial year was about to end, but still their projects were in the pipeline due to 'unimportant' objections raised by the officials.