10 development schemes worth Rs11.941 billion approved

LAHORE:The PDWP approved 10 development schemes of the SHC&ME, RP and literacy sector, in its 42nd meeting at an estimated cost of Rs11.941 billion.

Planning and Development Board Chairman Iftikhar Ali Sahoo chaired the meeting. The approved schemes included revamping of old blocks of Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital Gurjat at the cost of Rs769.998 million, revamping of old blocks of ex-DHQS (DHQ Hospital, Sargodha) at the cost of Rs827.045 million, revamping of old blocks 351 of ex-DHQS (Rahim Yar Khan, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Rawalpindi) DHQ Hospital Gujranwala at the cost of Rs1.0967 billion, strategic transformation / revamping of old block of DHQ Hospital Faisalabad, including Pediatric, Emergency Ward, Gynae Ward & Obstetric Ward, Neuro Surgery Ward and Medical Ward in existing building of DHQ Hospital, Faisalabad at the cost of Rs702.663 million and revamping of selected blocks of tertiary care facilities (Emergency and OPD of Children’s Hospital Multan) at the cost of Rs542.530 million. The other schemes included programme for strategic transformation / revamping of selected blocks of tertiary care facilities (Emergency & OPD of Nishtar Hospital, Multan) at the cost of Rs701.318 million, rehabilitation/ renovation of hospitals under Specialised Health Care & Medical Education Department through Health Council Traditional Mode (Allied Hospital Faisalabad) at the cost of Rs3.061 billion, establishment of Programme Implementation Unit (PIU) at the cost of Rs785.445 million, Punjab SDGs Plus Programme at the cost of Rs500 million and Scheme for BECS & NCHD at the cost of Rs3.081 billion.

Agriculture Plan to prove to be a game changer: minister

Provincial Minister for Agriculture, Industry and Energy SM Tanveer presided over the third meeting of Punjab Agriculture Strategic Plan (2024-34) at the Agriculture House through a video link on Tuesday.

Addressing the meeting, he said that the Punjab Agriculture Strategic Plan will prove to be a complete game changer for the agricultural development of the province. This plan includes proposals for improvement of water resources, reforms for agricultural research and improvement and innovation in the market and industry system related to the agricultural sector. With consultation of all stakeholders, these recommendations will be sent to the Provincial Cabinet for approval, he added.

On this occasion, Secretary Agriculture Punjab Nadir Chattha said that improvements can be made in the agricultural sector only through investment. The aim of this plan is to make the best use of land and water resources so as to substantially increase the yield of crops per acre, he added. He said the implementation of this plan will lead to innovation in research activities under research reforms. Besides, Agro-Ecological Zones agricultural activities will be promoted as per plan. By implementing this plan, 10-15% post-harvest losses of important crops can be avoided.

In the meeting, all the stakeholders discussed the challenges faced by the agriculture sector and to solve their problems. They shared their experiences and took practical steps to finalise the recommendations of the Punjab Agriculture Strategic Plan 2024-34.