ECC approves Rs4bn for 7th census

ISLAMABAD: In the aftermath of threats extended by enumerators not to perform their duties in the upcoming elections due to the failure of the government in making payment, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Thursday granted approval of Rs4 billion for the 7th Population and Housing Census out of the total demand of Rs11.9 billion.

The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has demanded Rs11.9 billion through a Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) and the Ministry of Planning forwarded a summary to this effect. The ECC granted approval of Rs4 billion as TSG for payment to enumerators who had performed during the last census exercise. These same enumerators belonging to the education department would be involved in the upcoming general elections.

According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Finance, the Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, and Economic Affairs, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar presided over a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Thursday. The ECC was briefed on the summary of Aviation Division regarding allocation of TSG of Rs500 million to Ministry of Aviation for sub-project titled ‘Modernization Of Hydromet Services of PMD in Pakistan (MHSP)’. After due deliberations, the ECC gave approval of the summary.

Summary for TSG of Rs38.856 million for Institutional Reforms Cell (IRC) from the Cabinet Division and summary for Importation of Sahiwal Bull from Pakistan as semen donors for National Artificial Insemination (AI) Programme from Ministry of Commerce was also approved by the ECC after discussion.

The summaries of Ministry of Finance for approval of TSG for Rehabilitation of flood damaged rural roads in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through counter value fund deposited under Japanese Grant Aid, and Provision of clean drinking water in Model Areas UC 99, 100 & 101 Lahore through counter value fund deposited under Japanese Grant Aid were deliberated upon and got approved. Provision of additional funds amounting to Rs1,591.624 million through TSG for procurement of servers and hiring consultants for FY2023-24 was also approved. The ECC gave approval of TSG amounting to Rs7.15 billion during FY 2023-24 for the programme title “Actions To Strengthen Performance For Inclusive And Responsive Education” (ASPIRE) for federal education and professional training.

The summaries from Ministry of Housing and Works/Pak PWD for provision of TSG of Rs25.00 million, provision of Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs319.500 million and allocation of TSG amounting to Rs51.960 million for different projects were also approved.

The summary presented by National Food Security & Research regarding demand and supply of wheat in the country was discussed at length and got approved.

The summary regarding Comprehensive Sustainable Plan for Price Rationalization of Subsidized wheat in Gilgit-Baltistan from Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, was debated in the presence of chief minister Gilgit-Baltistan. The forum gave approval with the direction to Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan to work out modalities. The ECC also gave approval of the summaries from Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives for TSG for budgetary allocation/rupee cover for utilization of foreign aid for the FY2023-24 and summary for provision of TSG of Rs4 billion for 7th Population & Housing Census.