Punjab sets up cell to oversee uplift projects

LAHORE: The Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed the creation of the “Implementation and Utilization Cell” within the Planning and Development Board aimed at revolutionizing Annual Development Programme Schemes (ADP’s) in Punjab .

This step is designed to ensure the effective execution of annual development schemes worth billions of rupees, with a focus on accelerating the pace of infrastructure construction across the province.

The newly-formed cell will be led by Dr. Ehsan Bhutta, former Secretary of Industries, who has been appointed as its head. He will work alongside the Consultant (Coordination) and Assistant Chief Monitoring, both members of the Planning and Development Board.

A critical aspect of the cell’s work will be its role in overseeing the decisions made by the Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP), the body responsible for the approval of development initiatives.

The cell will track the spending of development funds by different departments, address concerns related to slow-paced spending, and organize mid-year review meetings assess progress against targets set by administrative secretaries.

Additionally, the Implementation and Utilization Cell will focus on reviewing long-standing development schemes that have been underway for more than five years. It will make recommendations regarding their continuation or closure, ensuring that only viable projects move forward. The cell will also keep a close eye on the funds transferred from public sector companies to their commercial accounts, ensuring that these resources are being utilized efficiently and effectively.

Dr. Ehsan Bhutta, when speaking to Jang about the initiative, highlighted that the establishment of the cell is in direct response to the directive of the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and instruction of the Senior Provincial Minister for Planning and Development, Marriyum Aurangzeb, to expedite infrastructure development and the implementation of development schemes in the region. He confirmed that the cell is already in the process of gathering detailed reports from administrative secretaries across Punjab, tracking the status of funds spent and the progress made on ongoing development projects.

This initiative marks a significant step in ensuring transparency and efficiency in the execution of development plans that will shape the future of Punjab, making it a model for other provinces to follow.