PSDP spending exceeds by Rs9 billion: Umar

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said on Tuesday the total spending under Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) in the year 2020-21 exceeded the target set for the corresponding year by Rs9 billion to Rs659 billion, which was the highest development funds utilisation since 2011-12.

“Total PSDP spending in 2020-21 was Rs 659 billion vs a target of Rs650 billion or 101.4 per cent,” he tweeted. “In a year of Covid restrictions, this exceptionally high development spending reflects the resolve of Prime Minister Imran Khan to accelerate growth,” he added.

According to data released by the Planning Commission, the released funds included Rs425.7 billion for federal ministries, Rs166.68 billion for corporations, Rs37.06 billion for special areas, and Rs1.5 billion for the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA).

Similarly, Rs115.4 billion out of PSDP allocation of Rs118.67 billion was released for the National Highway Authority, Rs51.24 billion for the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC), and Rs71 billion out of Rs79.38 billion was released for the Water Resources Division.

Likewise, Rs28.12 billion was disbursed to the Higher Education Commission and Rs323.7 million to the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority.

The Railways Division received development funds of Rs10.87 billion, the Interior Division Rs10.37 billion, and the National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division received Rs11.24 billion.

Similarly, the Revenue Division got Rs8.96 billion and the Cabinet Division Rs24.11 billion. The government also released Rs23.4 billion out of PSDP allocation of Rs24.5 billion for development projects in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Rs13.7 billion out of Rs15 billion for Gilgit-Baltistan projects.