Government asked to arrange additional funds of Rs117 bn for development projects

ISLAMABAD: Different ministries/ divisions have asked the federal government for making additional allocation of Rs117 billion for total 53 development projects, including raising of funding for the Diamer-Basha Dam by Rs16.5 billion, in the current financial year 2015-16.

According to official documents obtained by The News from the PM Secretariat on Monday, the ministries/ divisions after completion of the first review of Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) asked for increasing development funding by Rs117 billion for a total 53 projects during the current fiscal year.

The National Economic Council (NEC), under chairmanship of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, had approved the federal PSDP to the tune of Rs700 billion on the eve of budget 2015-16.

The Communication Division asked for increasing funding for six development projects by Rs6 billion. The government allocated Rs800 million for bridge over the Indus linking the N-5 with N-55 at Nishtar Ghat but the NHA asked for an increase in allocation by Rs1.2 billion. The government made an allocation of Rs300 million for construction of bridge on River Ravi at Syed Wala and now the NHA demanded an increase in allocation by Rs500 million. Against the existing allocation of Rs200 million for improvement of 78.2 km Nowshera-Dir-Chitral Road (N-45), the NHA asked for an increase in allocation of Rs550 million.

The government made an allocation of Rs150 million for M-4/N-70 Motorway (8km) formerly widening of road between flyover at double Phattak Chowk Nag Shah at Multan (old Shujabad), the NHA asks for increase in allocation of Rs650 million.

Against existing allocation of Rs150 million for rehabilitation and widening of earthquake affected areas (Alpuri Besham) section (N-90) (32 KM) (Shandia hall), now NHA asks for additional allocation of Rs350 million and Rs2.749 billion additional allocation for provision of sub-completed projects on clearance of Planning Development and Reforms.

Federal Education & Professional Training Division: Against existing allocation of Rs1.036 billion for establishment and operation of Basic Education Community School in the country including AJK, Fata and GB, the concerned ministry asked for additional allocation of Rs283 million and increased allocation of Rs1.865 billion for improving human development indicators in Pakistan with focus on MDGs relating to education and six education for all (EFA) goals.

Housing and Works: The ministry asked for increased allocation by Rs7.069 billion for five projects against existing allocation of Rs691 million for current fiscal year. Against allocation of Rs100 million for construction of metalled road at Nankana Sahib, the concerned ministry asked for additional allocation of Rs403 million.

The ministry asked for additional allocation of Rs800 million for construction of office building for NAB Headquarter at G-5/1 Islamabad against existing allocation of Rs200 million.For dualization and improvement of Mandra-Chakwal road project (64 km), the ministry asked for additional allocation of Rs 1.005 billion against existing allocation of Rs284.400 million, asked for dualization and improvement of Sohawa-Chakwal road project with additional allocation of Rs4.360 billion against existing allocation of Rs100 million and asked for additional allocation of Rs500 million for Musa Khail Tansa road (stretched road Zhob) against allocation of Rs7.153 million.

Interior Division: The ministry asked for increased allocation of Rs1.304 billion for six projects against existing allocation of Rs1.340 billion. For construction of 1x additional wing Accn for Dir Scouts at Samar Bagh, the additional allocation of Rs100 million was sought against existing allocation of Rs80 million, additional Rs100 million for construction of 1x additional wing Accn for Thall Scouts at Thall, Rs100 million additional allocation for construction of 1x additional wing Accn for shawal Riffles at Razmak, additional allocation of Rs364 million for establishment of National Forensic Science Agency (HQS) Laboratory Islamabad, additional allocation of Rs240 million for machine readable passport/visa project (phase-ii) and additional allocation of Rs400 million for provision of security infrastructure in Malakand, Swat and other conflict areas of KP.

Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit Baltistan Division: The ministry asked for additional allocation of Rs1.3 billion for Mirpur Medical College, Rs700 million for Mir Waiz Muhammad Farooq Shaheed Medical College, Rs1.516 billion for water supply and sewerage scheme Mirpur City and Hamlets and Rs1 billion additional allocations for 14 MW Hydropower project Nalter District Gilgit. National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division: The ministry asked for additional allocation of Rs1.950 billion for expanded programme on immunisation (EPI), control of Diarrhea disease (CDD) NIH Islamabad, Rs187 million for National Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health Programme, additional allocation of Rs24.147 billion for National Programme for Family Planning and Primary Health Care against existing allocation of Rs7.645 billion and additional allocation of Rs1.793 billion for Population Welfare Programme (provinces).

Railway Division: The ministry asked for additional allocation of Rs2.046 billion for procurement of 500 high capacity bogie wagons and 40 power vans, additional allocation of Rs300 million for rehabilitation of 27 (NGMU-30 class) diesel electric locomotives, Rs1.342 billion for rehabilitation of railway assets damaged at Sindh during riots on eve of assassination of Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto, additional funding of Rs300 million for rehabilitation, upgradation and conversion of 400 coaches, additional funding of Rs746 million for replacement of old and obsolete signal gear from Lodhran-Khnaewal Shahdara Bagh mainline section of Pakistan Railways (Islamic Development Bank) and Rs800 million for strengthening/rehabilitation of 159 weak bridges on Pakistan Railways.

Statistics Division: For change of base of National Accounts from 2005-6 to 2015-16, the additional allocation was sought Rs96 million against existing allocation of Rs40 million.

Suparco: The concerned authorities have asked for Rs1.729 billion for Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS) against existing allocation of Rs800 million.

Water & Power Division (Power Sector): The ministry asked for increased allocation of Rs16.5 billion for Diamer-Basha dam for land acquisition against existing allocation of Rs10 billion, Rs5 billion additional funding for 747 MW Guddu Power project and Rs300 million for construction of 132 kv Sui Grid Station and Kashmore-Sui Transmission Line.

Water & Power (Water sector): The ministry asked for additional funding of Rs3.560 billion for Balochistan Effluent Disposal into RBOD-III in multiple districts, Rs500 million for construction of 100 delay action dam in Balochistan, Rs1 billion for extension of Right Bank Outfall Drain from Shehwan to Sea at Dadu and Thatta district of Sindh, Rs10 billion for Kacchi canal (phase-1), Rs1.5 billion for lining of distributors and minors in Sindh, Rs1.845 billion for Lower Indus Right Bank Irrigation & Drainage, Rs10 billion for Nai Gaj Dam Dadu Sindh, Rs428 million for provision of groundwater for industrial sector Balochistan, Rs3.622 billion for raising of Mangla dam, Rs1.876 billion for reconstruction of Shadi Kour dam, Rs300 million for rehabilitation of irrigation system at KP, Rs2 billion for remodelling of Warask canal system in Peshawar and Nowshera, Rs1 billion for revamping of irrigation and drainage system of Sindh, Rs 396 million for shore protection of Pasni town Balochistan and Rs900 million for other small demands for total 27 projects.