Minister for local bodies and rural development former Justice Abdul Razzaq Taheem said 14,455 schemes have been completed across the country from 2002 to 2007 under Khushal Pakistan Programme (KPP) in addition to normal development schemes carried out by various departments.
Talking to PTV, he said a sum of Rs 12,104 million has been released for a total of 23,836 schemes recommended by MNAs under KPP-1. The main focus of schemes under KPP was aimed at providing basic amenities to the countrymen and bringing at par the far-flung areas with country's developed areas. The grants accorded to various senators and MNAs for development schemes for the year 2006-2007 amounted to Rs 10 million per head.
No discrimination was observed between the ruling party and opposition members in the allocation process. The schemes presented by members are carefully scrutinised and are evaluated by relevant departments and organisations, he informed.
The minister denied any delay in the disbursement of funds and said that no case of embezzlement regarding these funds had ever been reported nor any case of corruption been filed against any district nazim. Strict vigilance of the schemes have been ensured aiming to avoid squandering of public money. Monitoring teams have recently been constituted. It has also been ensured that projects are completed on time.
Extra-ordinary development schemes have been completed in the country during the last four years. Various departments were busy in executing the infrastructure development projects including district, provincial, federal governments and MPs funds, he said. District government system was working very effectively. Bureaucracy has been placed under the district government.