ISLAMABAD: Despite financial constraints the federal government has been making fund releases on regular basis for its vital water and power initiatives under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2011-12.
During the first quarter (July-September) of this fiscal year the government released Rs46.6 billion, which forms 16 per cent of the Rs290 billion PSDP.
According to figures released by the Planning Commission (PC), the highest amount of Rs26.9 billion had been released for infrastructure projects, Rs19.4 billion for social sector development projects and Rs293 million for ‘other projects category’.
However, the federal government had not released any amount for People’s Works Programme–I and II, which have allocation of Rs5 billion and Rs28 billion, respectively, in 2011-12.The Planning Commission is currently managing 1,252 projects which have a total cost of Rs2.83 trillion, however the local allocations for this fiscal year amounts to Rs253.5 billion, whereas funding amounting to Rs36.5 billion would be provided from foreign aid.
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission received Rs2.33 billion for Chashma Nuclear Power Project (C3 & C4) being constructed in collaboration with China. The total cost of these two new nuclear power projects is Rs189.91 billion.
PAEC also received Rs271 million for Chashma Nuclear Power Project CII, Mianwali, which has a total cost of Rs51.04 billion.
In the water and power sector, the Federal government released Rs3.6 billion for land acquisition to construct Diamer Basha Dam, the cost of land acquisition requires Rs60.05 billion, the Dam is expected to generate 4,500MW electricity after commissioning.
An amount of Rs3 billion had been released for raising of Mangla Dam including resettlement project during the July-September 2011-12. The total allocation for this project is Rs62.55 billion.
Mirani Dam project received Rs100 million, Sabakzai Dam Rs200 million, Satpara Multipurpose Dam Rs1 billion, Gomal Zam Dam project Rs250 million, Greater Thal Canal (Phase-I) Rs100 million Kachhi Canal (Phase-I) Rs750 million and Rainee Canal (Phase-I) Rs750 million.
The Lower Indus Right Bank Irrigation and Drainage project, Sindh received Rs500 million, Balochistan Effluent Disposal into RBOD. (RBOD-III)Rs500 million and Land and Water Monitoring/Evaluation of Indus Plains (SMO) Rs100 million.
Revamping/Rehabilitation of Irrigation & Drainage System of Sindh Rs180 million, Extension of Right Bank Outfall Drain from Sehwan to Sea, (RBODII), Dadu and Thatta District of Sindh Rs1.3 billion, Lining of Distributaries and Minors in Sindh Rs240 million, Construction of 100 Delay Action Dams, Balochistan Rs120 million, Construction of 20 small Dams in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rs100 million, Re-construction of Shadi Kour Dam, District Gwadar Rs100 million.
The Pakistan Railways received Rs770.053 million for procurement/ manufacture of 530 high capacity wagons. Track rehabilitation plan Rs100 million, doubling of track Khanewal-to-Raiwind Section (China) Rs415 million, Revival of Karachi Circular Railways Rs10 million, Procurement/ Manufacture of 202 New Design Passenger Carriages Rs100 million.
Out of the Rs8.2 billion block allocation for Azad Jammu and Kashmir government only Rs1.64 billion had been released during the first quarter of current fiscal year, for construction of Rathua Haryam Bridge across Reservoir Channel on Mirpur-Islamgarh Road Rs200 million.