The Planning Commission has informed the Senate's sub-committee on Finance that the government allocated Rs 19.127 billion for ongoing major development projects in Balochistan.
A copy of the presentation submitted to the sub-committee by the Planning Commission obtained by Business Recorder showed that more than 12 major development projects were being implemented by the government in Balochistan. Of them, Rs 8.75 was been allocated for four water sector projects, Rs 600 million for tow energy sector's projects, Rs 8.2 billion for five roads projects and Rs 1.5 billion had been set aside for physical planning and housing projects in the budget for the current fiscal year.
Officials maintained that Rs 97 billion had already been spent till June 30 this year while Rs 19 billion had been earmarked for the current fiscal year. The meeting was informed that the allocation under Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for Balochistan was increased from Rs 8 billion in 2002-03 to Rs 48 billion in 2009-10. The number of development projects was increased from 43 in 2002-03 to 254 with an overall cost of Rs 339 billion in 2009-10.
The presentation stated that despite decrease in Federal PSDP and devolution of provincial subjects, a considerable allocation has been made in Federal PSDP 2012-13 for 112 projects. Spending on Balochistan's Annual Development Plan was increased from Rs 6 billion in 2002-03 to Rs 36 billion in 2012-13 with total utilization of Rs 118 billion during the same period.
On the other hand, the Planning Commission stated that the size of the federal PSDP decreased from Rs 421 billion in 2009-10 to Rs 360 billion 2012-13 with no substantial decrease in throw forward liability against approved projects, as the federal government was providing financial support to vertical programmes of health and population in accordance with the decision of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) (April 28, 2011). Additionally, the federal government was also financing special development packages in Dera Bugti, Kohlu, Quetta and Gwadar. Total allocation for these programmes is Rs 2.4 billion in the federal PSDP 2012-13, officials claimed.
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