KARACHI, Dec 2: The government had launched the MPAs' Priority Programme from the fiscal 2002-03 which actualized in July 2003 with allocation of funds earmarked during that financial year and the programme was carried out during 2003-04.

According to official sources, each MPA is allocated Rs5 million every year as per the decisions taken at the cabinet meetings held on March 18, 2003 and April 2, 2004.

The total allocation made for each MPA during the three years (2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05) totalled Rs15 million. All 168 MPAs, including those on reserved and minority seats, identified development schemes in their respective constituencies.

The government allocated Rs2,520 million for three years (2002-03,2003-04 and 2004-05). The P&D department issued 1,707 advices to finance department for the release of budget for 2,470 approved schemes up to November 2004 whereas the total amount released for all approved schemes till November 2004 stood at Rs1,601 million.

The total amount released by finance department for 1,817 approved schemes up to June 2004 stood at Rs976.57 million while the total amount utilized on these schemes up to June 2004 was recorded at Rs866 million.

The percentage of utilization during the financial year 2003-04 stood at at 89 per cent. These schemes were identified in the following priority areas which were approved by the cabinet: Village electrification programme (808); Provision of Sui gas for villages/towns (9); Construction of buildings for shelter-less schools (553); Addition of classrooms in existing schools (208); Provision of furniture in schools (11); Repair and re-conditioning of roads (318); Water supply and sanitation, including rehabilitation (557); Provision of machinery and equipment for Hospitals (76).

The Cabinet further approved following additional priority areas in the existing list: Provision of boundary wall for primary/secondary schools; Construction of new link roads; Provision of lavatories for primary/secondary schools; Provision of culverts/bridges where repair of existing roads is carried out; Provision of library, parks and playgrounds within primary and secondary schools. -APP