ISLAMABAD, Aug 19: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning and Development has stressed maintenance of high quality standards, speedy implementation and strict monitoring of development projects.

The committee met here on Thursday and was presided over by Sardar Bahadur Khan Sihar. According to a press release issued by the National Assembly Secretariat, the committee scrutinized the Drought Emergency Relief Assistance (Dera) programme, hydel power projects in the Northern Areas and development of I-16 sector.

The committee decided that members would inspect various sites of development schemes implemented under Dera programmes. It asked the planning and development division to approach the finance division to submit detailed report on expenditure of $200 million incurred on the emergency relief for drought- stricken areas.

Under Dera programme, $360 million was allocated for this purpose out of which $200 million were supposed to be spent on emergency relief in the form of oil, seeds and fertilizers.

The committee asked the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to start development work in 1-16 sector in Islamabad immediately, which included construction of roads, handing over of the possession of plots to the allottees and conducting of necessary surveys.