Sindh development schemes: department secretaries given one-month to improve performance

Expressing anger at the performance of secretaries of provincial departments regarding the implementation of development schemes, Sindh chief minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah has given them one month to improve the same. This he stated while presiding over a meeting at CM's House, here on Thursday. The CM reviewed the performance report of almost all departments, including the data of funds allocated for schemes, their release and utilisation.
Sources told Business Recorder that Qaim called this meeting while taking serious notice of non-utilisation of funds allocated in Annual Development Programme 2011-12. They said Sindh government could use only Rs 16 billion (14 percent) out of Rs 111 billion of ADP 2011-12 during seven months, from July 2011 to January 2012. Departments such as food, industries, tourism and minorities affairs are those that did 'not spend even a single penny from their development budget' allocated in ADP 2011-12, while Co-operation, Environment and Human Rights departments did not submit their reports to the Planning and Development Department, sources added.
Chief Secretary, Raja Muhammad Abbas, Additional Chief Secretary (P&D) Israr Malik, Senior Member BOR, Shazir Shamoon, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Waseem Ahmed and secretaries of all provincial departments attended the meeting.
Press release adds: Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah has fixed a time of one month for all departments to see the progress and said that provincial secretaries should expedite development works, and no excuse will be accepted in this regard.
He said that after the floods of 2010 and heavy rains of 2011, it is a joint responsibility to provide immediate relief to the people to alleviate poverty in the light of manifesto of Pakistan Peoples Party. Shah said that government has declared the year 2011-12 as "Year of Development" and in-spite of heavy rains, emphasis should be made to provide maximum relief to people by implementing development work while observing all legal formalities and level of quality.
He said that overall 50 percent funds were allocated to all departments but they hardly utilised 20 percent of the release. Rs 50 billion were released to all departments out of Rs 111 billion of ADP, he added. The CM revealed that there are many complaints against the departments and officers and he has taken necessary action against those who are violating the instructions. He warned that no negligent or careless officer will be spared if he is not delivering as per the requirements.
He directed secretary education to conduct survey about schoolchildren, those out of schools, facilities provided by the government etc. He asserted that quality of education and merit must be ensured in all respect, and there should be no compromise on quality. Government has provided maximum incentives to the teachers including time scale, promotion etc and it is hoped that they will impart education to children of province, he maintained.
Qaim also directed provincial secretaries to follow the cases lying in the courts of law. He directed that a deputy secretary in each department be posted to look after the cases filed with courts, while a copy of such cases be sent to Secretary Law and Advocate General, Sindh for provide guidance in this regard.
Regarding illegal and unauthorised allotment of forestland to ineligible persons, the CM observed that prompt action will be taken against the involved and lands allotted illegally will be cancelled. He sought a report in this regard within 15 days. On a report from Secretary Health, Sindh, the CM observed that the issue of Lady Health Workers pertains to federal government and provincial government will do only the needful in this regard.