FATA ADP: Rs 19.5 billion may be lapsed as implementation of project is delayed

A parliamentary panel on Wednesday feared that Rs 19.5 billion, out of Rs 26.5 billion, earmarked under the FATA Annual Development Plan (ADP) for 2017-18 would lapse due to delay in project implementation. The Senate Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) met here with Senator Hilalur Rehman in the chair to review the alarmingly slow pace of development activities in FATA, updated status of FATA university, public complaints on non-provision of textbooks to FATA students and examination of irregularities in award of mining leases by the FATA Development Authority.
The committee was informed that total FATA ADP for the current year 2017-18 is of Rs 26.5 billion and total reconciled expenditure stands at Rs 3.5 billion. It was noted that as it took 6 months for FATA Secretariat to utilize only Rs 3.5 billion, so in the next 6 months if pace of the utilization stays the same, there is a chance that a total of Rs 19.5 billion will lapse from the FATA development budget. Hilalur Rehman inquired about approval of two-package based schemes worth Rs 800 million as well as complaints of irregularities in the approval of these schemes. He asked the additional chief secretary (ACS) FATA how the sites were selected, who gave the feasibilities, why names of individuals were mentioned in the schemes as the schemes appeared to be individual-based initiatives.
He also indicated that the schemes did not appear to be 'high impact' initiatives despite the fact that their cost stood at almost one billion rupees. The ACS replied that the schemes were identified as governor's directives. He further said that the names were actually names of the area and not of individuals. The chairman remarked if the ACS FATA would guarantee that none of the individuals whose names are mentioned in the nomenclatures of the schemes - FATA ADP 957 and FATA ADP 958 - get the contracts. The ACS guaranteed that the tender processes will be carried out on merit.
The secretary Planning and Development briefed the parliamentary panel that out of total 444 new schemes, 217 have so far been approved at various development forums in FATA and the rest of the schemes are 227. The chairman highlighted that as per the data submitted, 227 schemes are yet to be approved which should have been approved as per development calendar by end of October 2017, adding why are a total of 77 schemes are pending at P&D and FATA Directorate for approval.
The committee was informed that the PC-1s of rest of 150 schemes are not prepared because of site selection issues. The senators indicated that it seems that there is no coordination between FATA Secretariat and the political agents and a result, FATA's development is being compromised. The committee was also briefed about the irregularities in issuance of license and NOCs for mining purposes in FATA, especially in Mohmand Agency. The committee observed that massive irregularities are being reported in violation of Mineral Concession Rules 2005 and there is a need to take appropriate action.
It was observed that the inquiry by Ministry of SAFRON, conducted on the recommendations of the standing committee against irregularities observed in issuance of mining license by FDA to M/S Bajaur Ancient Variety for Napharite and serpentine, was lopsided and flawed as it failed to refer to rules while examining the case, especially the Rule 100 of the Mineral Concession Rules, which clearly states that a mining license can not be issued for more than one group of minerals. The committee also pondered over the public petition with regard to non-availability of textbooks in Mohmand Agency. The petitioner informed that nearly 40,000 children are without textbooks and they are facing problems in their studies.
The committee directed the quarters concerned to submit detailed report in this regard and ensure provision of books to the students. The committee was also given a detailed briefing on working and performance of FATA University. It was informed that the university was established in 2013 and the first vice chancellor was appointed in 2016.
The committee expressed its displeasure over the fact that despite assurance by the chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC), no tangible steps have been taken for establishment of sub-campuses in other agencies of FATA. The committee, however, assured its cooperation to the management of the university to make it more vibrant institution of higher learning for students of FATA. The meeting was attended by Senators Taj Muhammad Afridi, Haji Muhammad Khan Afridi, Hidayat Ullah, Malik Najam-ul-Hassan, Ahmad Hassan, Khanzada Khan, Liaqat Khan Tarakai, and Sitara Ayaz, Minister of State for SAFRON Ghalib Khan Wazir, ACS FATA Sikanqar Qayyum, officials from FATA and senior officers of the ministry.