KARACHI, Jan 28: Sindh Planning and Development Minister Shoaib Ahmed Bukhari on Friday held a meeting to chalk out strategy regarding the release of funds for new development schemes in the province.

An amount of Rs3.6 billion has been allocated for new schemes, including Rs1.28 billion for district governments, in the Annual Development Fund for 2003-04.

The meeting was attended, among others, by Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Ghulam Serwar Khero, Additional Chief Secretary (Culture and Tourism) Anwar Haider, Secretary Finance and Cooperation Malik Israr Hussain, Secretary Works and Services Faisal Saud, Secretary Agriculture, Sabhago Khan Jatoi, Secretary Education Hashim Leghari, Secretary Information, Mrs Mehtab Akbar Rashdi, Secretary Industries Nasar Hayat, Secretary Forest and Wildlife Mehmood Ahmed Khan and Special Secretary Muhammad Ishqaue Lashari.

Finance Secretary Malik Israr told the meeting that the Finance department, has released Rs11 billion for ADP, 2004-2005, and has suggested the Planning and Development department to prioritize new schemes scheduled to be completed within next three years.

Shoaib Bukhari asked the officials to prioritize the new schemes in such a way that they could make a visible impact. He suggested that around Rs3 billion would be released for those new development schemes which could provide maximum benefit to people in the next three years. On his advice, Mr Khero said that he would coordinate with all the departments and work out the schemes to be completed within the said period. -APP