CDWP approves Rs31.6bln of socioeconomic projects

ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Monday approved eight projects worth Rs31.6 billion and recommended five projects worth Rs195.1 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) for consideration.

CDWP took the decisions during a meeting presided over by the Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Jehanzeb Khan. Senior officials from the federal and provincial governments were present in the meeting.

Projects related to devolution and area development, education, energy, governance, health industries and commerce, food and agriculture and physical planning and housing were presented during the meeting for approval and referring to Ecnec.

CDWP approved two projects related to energy sector. First project, ‘500 kV (kilovolt) Chakwal substation’, was estimated to cost Rs8.956 billion. Another project, ‘hydropower and renewable energy-II Gilgit Baltistan’, was estimated to cost Rs2.260 billion. Another project that was approved in the meeting is related to industries and commerce. The national strategic program for acquisition of industrial technology was estimated to cost Rs2.914 billion.

The main objective of the project is to upgrade technology and skills of economic sectors in the country. Cross-sector interventions have been planned under the project, which was designed for knowledge- based technological developments in textile, engineering and technology and construction sectors.

CDWP approved a project, ‘construction of three sewerage treatment plants and related sewerage system to treat the waste water falling into Korang river, Rawal lake and their areas of ICT (Islamabad capital territory)’ worth Rs3.971 billion. The project was reconsidered due to change in shape and cost of the project.

The meeting also approved a project, ‘promoting research for productivity enhancement in pluses’, worth Rs2.599 billion.

CDWP further approved a project, ‘procurement, installation and commissioning of medical equipment for three hospitals in Afghanistan’. The project is worth Rs2.355 billion.

Two projects to education sector were also approved during the meeting. The first project was ‘establishment and operation of basic education community schools’ worth Rs5.194 billion and second project was estimated to cost Rs3.306 billion to improve human development indicators .

The CDWP directed the ministry of Balochistan not to come up with any further revision for both the projects. The meeting recommended two projects, ‘Tarbela 4th extension hydropower project’, worth Rs122.977 billion and ‘evacuation of power for wind power project in Jhimpir and Gharo’ worth Rs13.405 billion, to Ecnec for further approval.

A project related to devolution and area development namely ‘Southern Punjab poverty alleviation project’ worth Rs15.524 billion was referred to the Ecnec. The objective of the project is to contribute to reduction of poverty in the southern Punjab region.

The project aims to increase the income of poor households by helping them increase agriculture productivity and improve livelihood opportunities and community physical infrastructure and upgrade skills through vocational trainings especially for women. The Ecnec was referred two projects ‘Punjab cities program’ worth Rs32.530 billion and ‘Pakistan single window’ worth Rs10.640 billion.