The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has launched the initiative of the construction of 356 small and medium hydel power stations to provide free electricity to the far-flung areas of the province. This was disclosed by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Energy and Power, Mohammad Atif Khan while responding to the questions of the members of provincial assembly during the Question-Hour of the house here on Monday.
The question of the construction of 356 small and medium power stations was asked by Sardar Aurangzeb Nalotha, parliamentary leader of PML-N to meet the energy shortage in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Atif Khan told the house that these micro-power stations would be established on the run of the river and its capacity would be up to 35 megawatt.
He said the provincial government is making efforts to establish these power houses in the areas not linked with the national grid. After the completion of the projects, they would be handed over to the community of the areas concerned. He said that the electricity generated from these projects would be supplied to the people free of charges. He said that the projects would be completed within time period of 6 months to 18 months.
To the supplementary questions of the Saleem Khan of PPP and Syed Jaffar Shah of ANP regarding Lawi and Mataltan hydel power projects, the minister told the house that due to the higher expenses federal government had raised objections over them. However, he said the provincial government is spending its own resources on them. The provincial minister said that in the wake of the prevailing situation, the Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has announced the taking of such matters to the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
To another question of Sardar Aurangzeb Nalotha regarding the number of approved SNEs in his electoral constituency PK-47, Abbottabad, Khan who also holds the portfolio of Secondary and Elementary Education, said that the process has been accelerated. He said that as compared to total 247 SNEs issued during last financial year, 280 have been issued only in four month of the current year. He expressed hope that the acceleration of the issuance of SNEs would help remove hurdles in the operationalizing of new schemes.
The minister said that the provincial government has taken action against 1683 officials of the Department of Education including some BPS-18 officers while a Director had issued five explanation letters. Earlier the Speaker Asad Qaiser put the two questions of Meraj Hamayun regarding Provincial Institute for Teachers (PITE) and provision of furniture and mats to schools in district Swabi pending.
Furthermore, the questions of the Uzma Khan of JUI-F regarding the non-appointment of permanent Director for Area Study Centre (ASC) University of Peshawar and not changing of supervisors for MPhil/PhD scholars were referred to the standing committee on higher education of the house. Due to the lack of quorum after the prayers and tea break the Speaker adjourned the proceeding of the house till 2:00 pm of Wednesday.
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