Water sector received Rs 16 billion for the development projects during the first half (July-December) of 2009-10 financial year under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), which is 34 percent of Rs 47.2 billion, the amount earmarked for the sector during the entire year.
The government raised the allocation for water sector from Rs 31.2 billion in 2008-09 financial year to Rs 47.255 billion for the current fiscal year for 85 development projects. Sources told Business Recorder on Tuesday that the project authorities of water sector would brief the meeting on Mid-term PSDP Review, to be held in the Planning Commission, on Wednesday.
According to the Water and Power Ministry officials, the Finance Ministry released 16 percent of the earmarked funds, amounting to Rs 8.5 billion in the first quarter (July-September). The funds released during the second quarter (October-December 2009) stand at Rs 7.5 billion, which is 90 percent of committed fund releases.
The sources claimed that the Finance Ministry was to release Rs 17.8 billion during the first quarter, but released a lower amount due to financial constraints as a consequence of poor external inflows from the Friends of Democratic of Pakistan (FoDP). Pakistan is currently undergoing water and power crisis and the government has placed a high priority on the development of water and power sectors.
Some of the important water projects are Mirani Dam, Sabakzai Dam, Satpara Multipurpose Dam, Gomal Zam Dam, Greater Thal Canal, Naigaj Dam, Dadu, Sindh, and construction of small dams in Balochistan. During the first day of Mid-Term Review of the PSDP, the five ministries and departments, including Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (Paec), claimed to have received funds, amounting to Rs 27.1 billion or 27 percent of Rs 100.4 billion, the total earmarked in the 2009-10 budget.
The fund released to Health, Education, Communication, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and Science and Technology Ministries were discussed on Monday. These ministries received Rs 27.1 billion funds against the earmarked amount of Rs 38.925 billion with a shortfall of Rs 11.8 billion.
The Ministry of Communications received Rs 10 billion, Ministry of Health: rupees six billion; Ministry of Education: rupees two billion; and the Paec: Rs 8.5 billion in the first half of the current fiscal year. The Science and Technology Ministry received Rs 600 million against total commitment of Rs 1,725 million.