Several other projects okayed in meeting chaired by Ishaq Dar
ISLAMABAD: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) has approved the Emergency Plan for Polio Eradication (2016-2018) at an estimated cost of Rs 31.816 billion.
The plan was okayed in an Ecnec meeting chaired by Federal Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar here on Friday. The plan execution will be the responsibility of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination. The Unicef will procure vaccine and undertake social mobilisation activities. The WHO will be responsible for conducting the operational activities of the Supplemental Immunisation Activities (SIAs) including surveillance. During the course of the project implementation, around 698 million doses of polio vaccine will be administered to vulnerable children across the country.
The Ecnec also approved the Punjab Economic Opportunities Programme at a cost of Rs 8783.97 million. The project will benefit 145,000 people in the agricultural/rural sector. The programme aims at improving service delivery to farmers and introducing support mechanisms for timely access to quality inputs through establishment of Rural Business Hubs. The government support and spending will be rationalised to ensure it is directed to areas such as research, pest and disease surveillance, efficient water use, alternative energy, agro-processing and creation and administration of regulatory and legislative framework, and addressing externalities such as enhancing sustainability and adopting environment-friendly activities. The project will be executed by the Planning and Development Department, Punjab.
The project for the reinforcement of 220kv Transmission System Network in Islamabad and Burhan also got the nod. The total rationalised cost of the project is Rs 3619.43 million including Rs 1802.01 million as the foreign exchange component. The main objective of the project is to enhance the capacity of the transmission system by addition/reinforcement of 220kv transmission lines along with extensions at respective substations to meet the growing power demand of the country, particularly in Iesco areas. The project will be completed in three years. The NTDCL will be the executing agency for the project. The Ecnec approved the Keyal Khwar Hydro Power Project (128 MW) at a cost of Rs 26,084.17 million with Rs 9,364.47 million as FEC. The location of the project will be District Kohistan, KP, and will be executed by the Wapda in four years. The project will be interconnected with the national grid by 2.8km 132kv double circuit transmission line.
The Water Carrier from Nabisar Reservoir to Thar Coal Field, Block-II, Project was also approved by the committee. The project will be financed by the government of Sindh at a cost of Rs 15,652.69 million through the ADP. The project is expected to complete by September 2017. Under the project, 35 cusecs of water for operations of Thar coal power units will be carried and will help produce approximately 1000–1200MW electricity.
The committee okayed a proposal for replacement of the Katki Khaisar Dam in Johan with the Zard Ghulam Jan Dam, Mangocher. The Ecnec approved a project for the rehabilitation/upgradation of the 45km Jalalpur-Pirwala-Uch section of the Multan-Trinda Muhammad Pannah Road at a revised cost of Rs 4,675 million. The National Highway Authority will be responsible for executing, maintaining and operating the project.
