Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has said that provision of health, education and other facilities to the masses is the top priority of the government and special attention is being paid to the strengthening of social development sector.
He was presiding over a meeting to review Punjab devolved social programmes here on Wednesday, disclosed an official. He issued instructions for evolving comprehensive system for the implementation of on-going development projects in the province as well as ensuring transparency in Punjab Devolved Social Programme (PDSP) so that its benefits could reach the masses in the real sense. He also constituted a review committee headed by P&D chairman, which will review different projects being executed under this programme on monthly basis.
The Chief Minister stressed the need for effective monitoring of Punjab Devolved Social Programme and constituted a committee headed by the P&D Chairman to review implementation of this programme on monthly basis. He ordered that transparency in the utilisation of development projects as well as their quality construction of uplift schemes should be ensured at any cost. "Strong commitment and co-operation of private sector can help in elimination of poverty. Therefore, the Punjab government is promoting public-private partnership," he added.
The project director of the programme gave a detailed briefing about the project. The meeting was informed that in view of the importance of education, necessary academic facilities are being ensured in all schools of the province. The government is providing water, electricity and other basic facilities in rural health centres and schools on priority basis. PDSP was initiated in 2005 at a cost of $180 million; health, special education, water supply and sanitation sectors were included in the programme.
The meeting was also informed that third party audit system has also been introduced for this project. MPA Nazia Rohai, Chaudhry Muhammad Asadullah, Malik Muhammad Amir Dogar, Chairman P&D, Secretary Health, Secretary Public Health, Secretary Special Education and consultant Chrisminett were present on the meeting.