The second meeting of the second quarter of Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved seven projects of over Rs 25.47 billion. It also reviewed progress on the PSDP projects during the current financial year and put in place mechanism to monitor Madrassah Reforms Programme under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz.
The approved projects are: two projects in water sector amounting to Rs 23.79 billion; two projects in physical planning and housing worth over Rs 0.5 billion; one project each in population welfare, culture and telecommunications amounting to Rs 303.018 million, Rs 427.698 million and Rs 450 million, respectively.
Two major water projects are Rs 4.9 billion are Sindh On-Farm Water Management Project and Rs 18.862 billion Rainee Canal Project. A madrassah monitoring project was also approved in education sector.
It approved monitoring mechanism to review progress of Rs 5.8 billion Madrassah Reform Project cleared earlier, and a Rs 450 million Global System of Mobiles (GSM) Project for AJK and Northern Areas.
A government hand-out said that the projects would generate economic activity, employment opportunities, increase agriculture production, improve health and education standards and increase water availability through effective management of irrigation channels.
The Ecnec reviewed progress on the PSDP for the year 2003-2004 and noted with satisfaction that the projects were on track. The funds released were being effectively utilised and outcome based approach on expenditure was being followed.
To further make the PSDP Programme an effective vehicle of economic change, the Ecnec approved recommendations for improved training, establishment of fund release committee, diversion of funds to high priority areas, training of project directors, establishment of core projects management units.
The Ecnec further decided to establish planning and monitoring cells, creation of separate project account and directed all divisions to appoint project director for each project not later than March 2004.
WATER: The meeting approved Rainee Canal Project costing Rs 18.862 billion. The home grown project located in Nara Desert of Districts Ghotki, Sukkur and Khairpur of Sindh province is a part of Wapda Vision 2025. Out of the total gross area of 515,500 acres, Rainee Canal will irrigate a cultivable command area of 412,400 acres on both sides of the canal in the Nara region. It would off take from Guddu Barrage.
It would use surplus flood water of river Indus subject to availability of water in the Indus River as per Water Accord 1991.
The requirement of Rainee Canal of ten daily basis is 1.307 MAF. It would result in an increase in farm income as well as opportunities for labour, which will bring prosperity to the people of the project area.
The Rainee Canal will increase agricultural production, improve physical environment, quality of life and enhance infrastructure facilities.
In the PSDP an amount of Rs 300 million has been provided during the current financial year to start the project.
The scope of work envisages 101.8 canal-miles of main canal, 88.2 canal-miles of seven branch canals, 214.5 canal-miles of 29 distributaries, 28.7 canal-miles of eight minors, 881 different structures of main canal and 833 on forestry and range management study and development of the command area.
The meeting approved Sindh On-Farm Water Management Project costing over Rs 4.9 billion. This would increase agricultural production and farmers income, through rehabilitation and better management of the irrigation system.
The project would provide improved on-farm water management, exploit and manage water resources in rain fed/barani, hilly and riverine areas through implementation of non-conventional on-farm water management technology.
It would also enhance farmers' participation in operation and management of irrigation system and supplement government's efforts in generating employment opportunities in rural sector.
POPULATION WELFARE: The Ecnec approved Rs 303.018 million Population Welfare Services Project for Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
To be completed by 2008, the project would cater for a population of 3.2 million people of Azad Kashmir living an area of 13297 square km.
It would address the high population growth rate, improve health condition of women and children, create economic development and educate people about the health care. It would create employment for over 600 people and help reduce poverty.
CULTURE: Establishment of National Monument of Pakistan at Islamabad was approved at a cost of Rs 427.698 million. To be located on the hills of Shakarparian, the monument will reflect culture and civilisation of the country.
PHYSICAL PLANNING AND HOUSING: The Ecnec approved procurement of fire fighting vehicles at a cost of Rs 318.470 million. The amount will be utilised to procure 35 modern fire-fighting vehicles to expand the existing fleet and augment the fire-fighting capacity, particularly for high rise building in Islamabad.
The meeting also approved construction of high security block in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at a cost of Rs 248.602 million to provide additional accommodation and meet security requirements of the Foreign Office.
TELECOMMUNICATION SECTOR: The Ecnec approved Rs 450 million Global System of Mobiles (GSM) Project for Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Northern Areas to provide 50,000 lines to subscribers in 12 cities.
Subsequently this facility will be enhanced to 200,000 lines in five years. The project would help improve telecommunication system in AJK and Northern Areas and connect these areas with rest of the country with quality telecommunication system.
It would also promote information technology, create jobs and help establish an E-Governance.
EDUCATION: Ecnec approved monitoring mechanism to review progress of Rs 5.8 billion Madrassah Reform Project initiated in its earlier meeting.
The Ecnec made Ministry of Education as a focal place responsible for implementation of the project.
The Federal Project Implementation Unit (FPIU) consisting of a modest staff under project director was approved to co-ordinate with the steering committee to be set up in the provinces to oversee review progress on the project.
Federal Ministers of Petroleum, Commerce, Water and Power, Education, Housing, Railways, Communications, Minister In charge for Science and Technology/Chairman Higher Education, Provincial Finance and Planning Ministers, Secretaries of the respective divisions and senior officials of the Cabinet Division and Ministry of Finance attended the meeting.
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