PESHAWAR, Aug 24: NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani on Thursday laid the foundation of a plant for treating the chemical waste of the Hayatabad Industrial Estate.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Durrani said all government departments should continue spending on public welfare schemes and the government would provide funds without any delay.

He also approved construction of a slaughter house in Hayatabad.

The project costing Rs24.433 million would be completed in December this year, said a handout issued here on Thursday.

It may be mentioned that chemical waste of the industrial estate has been causing health hazards and environmental pollution in Hayatabad and adjoining areas.

The chief minister said that unfortunately the Hayatabad Township, which came into being some 35 years ago, had no boys or girls college. He said the MMA government had set up separate colleges for boys and girls.

Mr Durrani said his government had also approved establishment of wastewater treatment plants for Abbottabad and Swat.

Regarding rise in car-lifting cases in Peshawar, the chief minister said video cameras were being installed at important places of Peshawar with the help of which not only car lifting would be checked but those who spread obscenity would also be monitored and brought to book.

Counting government’s steps to provide relief to the common man, Mr Durrani said 5 marla house and agricultural land up to 50 kanal had been exempted from tax, irrigation water charges had been waived for five years and model farm services centres had been established in every district of the province where interest free agriculture loans were being given.

The chief minister said the NWFP would get its share of the net hydel profit during the present MMA government. He said a model park was being set up at the Shah Alam Bridge on the Charsadda Road which would have a zoo beside other modern recreational facilities.