MARDAN, July 14: NWFP Senior Minister Sirajul Haq has alleged that the centre has held up Rs345 billion of power royalty to the province, saying that if the amount was released , the MMA government would be able to provide not only free education but also free meal to students in schools.

Speaking to Jamaat-i-Islami workers at the opening of the party's new office and public secretariat here on Wednesday, Mr Haq said that non-provision of royalty on power had left the province extremely backward and poor.

He claimed that certain elements were trying to create cracks in the religious parties' coalition, adding that the MMA would remain intact to foil such designs. Mr Haq said that the MMA government had started development works worth billions of rupees in the province to resolve long-standing problems.

The senior minister said that one billion rupees would be spent on different schemes in Mardan district in the current year. He disclosed that the cabinet had decided that no increase would be made in the Abiana (water tax) in the next three years.

Mr Haq said that a Darul Kifala (home for beggars) would be set up soon to eliminate beggary and give technical training to the beggars so that they could earn their livelihood in an honourable manner.

He said that the provincial government took the opposition into confidence over the National Finance Commission Award, even taking them to Islamabad for talks with the responsible quarters on the province's share in the NFC Award.

The minister said that all the government offices, shopping centres and markets would remain closed during the prayers time, urging government officials to implement the Nizam-i-Salat order in letter and spirit.