The government has decided to retain the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), a brainchild of the Musharraf government, despite its controversial role and has allocated Rs 551.3 million for this entity. An official report revealed that the NCHD, whose purpose was to improve the social indicators of Pakistan to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) utilised funds for getting 451 brand new vehicles.
1217 motor cycles, 7280 pieces of office equipment (generators, air conditioners, fans, IT services etc) 65 laptops, 1861 computers, 17,696 pieces of furniture, 665 printers and 56 bicycles.
It was decided that the NCHD would not be abandoned for a year as a high-powered committee constituted by the Prime Minister recommended the government to release Rs 551.3 million for the ongoing financial year. These funds will be utilised for continuation of Universal Primary Education (UPE) and for administrative expenses of the NCHD only for the ongoing fiscal year 2008-09. The official report spells out that the NCHD submitted a detailed report about its assets to Cabinet Division recently.
"It was the unanimous view that NCHD (with whatever alternate name, if any) should not be liquidated at this stage when donors are concerned and likely to withdraw their support," the official report said and added that the Special Committee decided to continue certain programmes of the Commission and recommended that the largest and most important of these being the Feeder School programmes should continue but in more focused and targeted manner.
The UPE programme of the NCHD, the report states, may continue for one more year only till the entire programme is thoroughly reviewed. The reactivation of 17,980 Feeder Schools in 94 districts with an approved budget of Rs 449 million had been initiated in October 2008.
A proposal for providing matching grants by the government was also considered for running a viable literacy program for which a policy will be formulated to attract foreign donors. "The special committee also decided to monitor the performance of the working staff of the NCHD and all out efforts should be made to protect assets of the Commission," the official document stated and added that the NCHD officials also informed that complete inventory of fixed assets has already been sent to Cabinet Division.