PESHAWAR, July 5: NWFP Governor Khalil-ur-Rehman has stressed the need for timely completion of all 253 developmental schemes in the new financial year’s annual development programme for Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata). The governor chaired the first preparatory meeting of Fata annual development programme held at the Governor’s House here on Tuesday.

According to an official handout, the meeting which was also attended by the principal secretary to governor Brig (retd) Asad Munir, secretary Fata Security Arbab Mohammad Arif and Additional Secretary P&D Dr Tashfeen Khan thoroughly discussed the sector and area-wise fund allocations besides the strategies to be adopted in various sectors to achieve the targets.

The governor stressed that the executing departments and other relevant sectors must improve their capacity about fund utilization. The development funds must be utilized within the time frame and according to the commitments, he urged.

During the new financial year, the governor directed that 85 per cent of the total allocation must be spent on the on-going schemes to ensure completion of maximum number of development projects. The remaining 15 per cent should be spent on new schemes.

He also emphasized focusing on education, health, agriculture and mineral sectors, adding that agricultural resources could be enhanced by putting maximum focus on introducing a variety of non-traditional crops like tea, mushrooms, groundnuts and off-season vegetables.

He also took keen interest in the development of waste land for cultivation, and added that such projects should also be extended to other tribal agencies.

The governor described the mineral sector vital for the overall development of Fata. The private sector was being involved in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources which would help the government in its efforts in this regard.

He said that the process of award of construction contracts would be made more transparent and efficient.

The additional secretary, Planning & Development, Fata, Dr Tashfeen Khan, briefed the governor about the proposed Fata ADP for the year 2005-06.

He said that the total volume of Fata ADP for the new fiscal year was Rs5.15 billion which showed a 29.3 per cent increase over the previous ADP.

He said that the elected representatives would be involved in the preparation of new schemes at the agencies and Frontier Regions’ level.

He said that adequate funding would be made available for major schemes like small dams and roads.