Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has expressed disappointment over the poor releases of funds for Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), and directed the Ministry of Finance to expedite the process to ensure optimum releases by next month, sources told Business Recorder. The Prime Minister wanted early release of the PSDP funds that were available after downsizing, and assured Balochistan of full releases of the PSDP allocation.
The Prime Minister said that he would visit the Planning Commission (PC) on quarterly basis to review implementation of the development projects. Sources said that the Prime Minister has recently been facing immense pressure from parliamentarians over slow release of the development funds promised to them.
Talking to media after review of the PSDP at Planning Commission, he said that the PSDP, which was reduced to Rs 250 billion from Rs 421 billion, would now be raised to Rs 300 billion. The social sector allocation will be protected despite resource constraints.
About austerity measures, he said that a number of organisations are being restructured to improve their financial performance. He said the main agenda of the next Cabinet meeting would be law and order situation in the aftermath of terrorist incidents in Lahore, Karachi and Mingora.
The Prime Minister said that everything would be done according to constitution, unlike in the past when Pervez Musharraf refused to address joint parliament session. Gilani said that President Asif Ali Zardari would address the joint sitting of parliament for the third time.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister was given a briefing on various ongoing projects of railways, agriculture, health and other social sectors. It was decided that grants for the projects will be released on fast track basis. The projects of the Atomic Energy Commission and Chashma Left Link Canal will be on priority basis and financing will be ensured for building double track for railways and for improving conditions of locomotives.
Financing of projects in NWFP, including Khushhal Garh bridge and Malakund Tunnel and for construction of small dams, will continue. He was told that work was ongoing on more than 200 projects in Balochistan. The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction at settlement of dues for land acquisition for Bhasha dam.
He said all resources will be used to address the energy crisis. Earlier, the Prime Minister said the annual PSDP becomes the main instrument for translating the nation's goals of socio-economic development into reality. He said quarterly review of PSDP should now become a permanent feature.
The elected government inherited an economy, which was faced with multiple challenges including poor law and order situation, he said. He said it was heartening that the economy is back on track and economic numbers are improving. "The high growth, no matter how satisfying it may be, is of no use unless its fruits reach the grassroots and improve living conditions of the poor," he added.
The meeting was attended by Minister for State for Finance and Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Chief Secretaries of Balochistan and Punjab besides officials of Ministry of Finance; Food, Water and Power and Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Dr Ashfaq Ahmad.
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