A delegation of USAID Programme, led by American Consulate, Lahore, Principal Officer Brian D. Hunt, called on Punjab Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif here on Monday and discussed development programmes, carrying out in five districts of southern Punjab in collaboration with the USAID.
As per an official, while talking to the delegation, the chief minister said that Punjab government is paying special attention to the uplift of backward and far-flung areas. Moreover, the CM said southern Punjab and remote areas would be given priority under the next development programme so that better facilities could be provided to the people of these areas and their standard of living could be raised.
He also said that the provincial government is also carrying out a comprehensive programme for the provision of socio-economic justice to the people, solution to their problems and elimination of poverty and ignorance. 'Obsolete system is being reformed and effective measures are being taken for enabling the deprived segments to join national mainstream. The Danish schools are being established in different backward areas of the province. Modern educational facilities will be available to the students in Danish schools,' he added.
On the occasion the CM lauded the USAID Programme for the development of five backward districts of southern Punjab. However, he said, there is a need for paying due attention to the sectors of education, agriculture, dairy farming, livestock, health, vocational education and infrastructure development under this programme, as it would help promote economic activities as well as creation of job opportunities in these areas. He also said close co-ordination with provincial government could yield better results with regard to the implementation of development projects under USAID Programme in southern Punjab.
He directed the provincial administration to maintain a close co-ordination with the management of USAID Programme with regard to development schemes. He said that the government has introduced third-party audit system for all major development projects to ensure utilisation of every penny of public money in a transparent manner.
'Third-party audit system should also be adopted for development projects under USAID programme. The government officers and USAID programme should adopt an effective strategy regarding development projects through mutual consultation,' he added.
Earlier, Principal Officer Brian D Hunt threw light on various developmental projects carrying out under USAID Programme in five districts of southern Punjab. He said effective measures would be taken for the improvement of health, education, local government and other projects under USAID Programme and the Punjab government would be fully consulted in this regard.
Various proposals for the implementation of proposed programme of USAID were also discussed in the meeting. The Punjab Chief Secretary, Planning and Development Chairman, Secretaries of Home, Education, Communication and Works, Irrigation, Agriculture, Housing, Commerce and Tevta Chairman were also present on the occasion.