Jan 15 , 2016
News
CDWP approves 18 projects worth Rs 23 billion
APP
ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Thursday approved 18 projects worth Rs 23 billion, and referred three projects worth Rs 52 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council.
It also gave concept clearance to two projects worth Rs 10 billion.
Senior federal and provincial officials concerned attended the meeting, chaired by Planning Development and Reform Minister Prof Ahsan Iqbal. All the projects were discussed in detail, and suggestions were made by the chair for further reviews.
The minister instructed the officials concerned to thoroughly and professionally examine projects in the pre-CDWP meetings, and bring schemes to the forum after exercising due diligence. He also suggested the third party evaluation and validation for certain plans where bigger stakes exist.
“Our today’s planning should be futuristic, and capacity benchmarks must be for at least next two decades,” he directed. He accorded special preference to all projects related to education sector, and wanted that teaching be imparted in highly-valued and market-oriented subjects.
Twenty-five projects of education, governance, energy, manpower, Higher Education Commission, physical planning and housing, transport and communication, manpower and water sectors were also considered.
For all the approved projects, including position papers and concept clearance, the FEC is about Rs 11 billion, whereas allocations in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2015-16 have been made to the tune of Rs 5.22 billion.
Five projects of the education sector which were approved include University of Dir worth Rs 985.34 million with a PSDP allocation of Rs 50 million, establishment and development of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur sub-campus at Rahim Yar Khan worth Rs 726, post-doctoral fellowship programme (HEC) worth Rs 2.8 billion, construction of boundary wall of the University of Agriculture Peshawar worth Rs 239.806 million (fully-funded by the federal government) and establishment of University of Turbat worth Rs 2.82 billion. Another approved project of the education sector was ‘Improving Human Development Indicators’ in Pakistan with focus of the MDGs relating to education six EFA goals, which will cost Rs 2.36 billion.
The Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Development Programme (Phase-III) 2015-17 was also approved costing Rs 2.6 billion. An approved project of the governance sector ‘Centre of excellence for the CPEC’ will cost Rs 996.636 million.
Feasibility study for enhancing the transmission capacity of NTDC’s 500 KV transmission system by applying series compensation of the energy sector was also approved costing Rs 133.18 million with an FEC share of Rs 106.83 million.
Six projects of the transport and communication sector, which were approved include flyover at the Nag Shah Chowk Multan, construction of flyover on Shaheen Chowk N-5 Gujrat, comprehensive feasibility study of up gradation of the existing main line-II (ML-II) from Kotri to Attock city (1,254 km), Airport Security Force (ASF) accommodation at the New Islamabad Airport and construction of metalled road in Nankana Sahib.
Three projects of the physical planning and housing include up gradation and strengthening of the Cabinet Division six Aviation Squadron for relief operations and enhancement of security worth Rs544.88 million, construction of auditorium for 500 persons at the Civil Service Academy Walton Lahore costing Rs 102.58 million and construction of 15 residences for the superintendents of police Sector H11, Islamabad.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk