Although it is mandatory for the provincial departments to use their fiscal allocations by June 30. In a surprising move Sindh Chief Minister has approved the release of Rs 939 million to a non-ADP scheme this month. The amount was transferred in the assignment account of Sindh Dairy and Meat Development Company Ltd (SD&MDCL) on Monday, but would it be possible for the company to utilise this huge amount in the next 30 days?
Sources said that the summary was moved by the livestock and fisheries department to the chief minister for approval and it got approved on May 7, 2009. The finance department was directed to approve the funds under inter-sectoral re-appropriation for the non-ADP scheme, they said.
They said that the finance department was also instructed to adopt the figures and adjust the account accordingly as soon as possible because the last date for funds release is May 25. They said that out of the total amount, some Rs 471.118 million would be spent on civil work of the scheme.
The sources alleged that Rs 939 million were approved at the eleventh hour due to allegedly personal interest of some Sindh government officials. Release of such a huge fund without fulfilling legal formalities was 'shocking', they said. Under the scheme, they said that small dairy farms and meat markets would be set up in all 23 districts to promote the livestock sector in the province.
They said that the finance department had released only Rs 10 million for construction of taluka veterinary dispensaries in Sindh against the allocated amount of Rs 50 million, Rs 2 million for strengthening of Sindh Poultry Vaccine Center, Korangi against Rs 10 million approved.
Moreover, they said not a single penny had so far been released against the allocated funds of Rs 50 million for the construction of model fish harbour at Keti Bunder, Thatta. They said that the scheme, Sindh Dairy and Meat Development Company Ltd, would be included in the next year's Annual Development Programme (ADP) with a total estimated cost of 3,000 million with further allocations of Rs 1,000 million each year.