Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Salman Farooqui has assured Nazriya Pakistan Council of required funding by the Ministry of Finance for the construction of Awain-e-Quaid at F-9 Park in Islamabad. A delegation of Nazriya Pakistan called upon the deputy Chairman here on Thursday.
The purpose of the meeting was to brief the Deputy Chairman on the progress of the under construction building of Aiwan-e-Quaid at F-9 park. The project of Rs 173 million is being funded under Public Sector Development Plan (PSDP). The project routed through Ministry of Culture, which was approved by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) in its meeting on March 20, 2007.
The Aiwan-e-Quaid building, which will have covered area of 37977 sq ft comprising auditorium (450 seats), entry hall, display area with large mural of Quaid-e-Azam, conference hall (100 seats), meeting room (25 persons), library, NPC offices, cafeteria, senior citizens club, exhibition and souvenir shops. The project is expected to be completed in a period of three years (2006-09). The annual recurring cost of the project is Rs 5.57 million.
CDA has allotted a plot measuring 4166 sq yds. The prime minister announced a grant of Rs 5 million in 2004 for NPC. The foundation stone was laid by the prime minister on h March 20, 2004 and the grant of Rs 5 million was utilised against cost of land to CDA and fee for the designing etc. An allocation of Rs 85 million was made in PSDP 2007-08 against which an expenditure of Rs 20.33 million was reported up to June, 2008. An allocation of Rs 100 million has been made in PSDP 2008-09 but no releases have been made so far.
A meeting of the Steering Committee of the project was held on August, 13 2008 in which the release of second advance to the contractor and revision of the project was discussed. The Nazriya Pakistan Council through Ministry of Culture (MoC) demanded to release grant of Rs 10 million approved by the prime minister for the creation of an Endowment fund. The income from the fund was to be used towards meeting the recurring expenses of NPC including O&M cost of Aiwan-e-Quaid.
The matter was referred to Planning Commission and it was suggested that Ministry of Culture should provide the required amount through the over-all demand of the MoC for the year 2009-10 when the project is likely to be completed.
The Planning Commission has recommended that capital cost of Rs 173 million for the project will be provided out of PSDP. The release of fund has to be taken care of by the MoC. However, Planning Commission can ask the Finance Division during the review meeting for early release of funds. The grant amounting Rs 10 million approved by the Prime Minister is outside PSDP, therefore, the issues relating to this amount may be raised with Finance Division.
As regards the increase in the salary of the project staff, it is according to the approved PC-I. For any change in any component sponsors should revise the PC-I and submit for the consideration of relevant forum. This aspect should also be discussed with Finance Division by the sponsoring Ministry of Culture.