Micro finance facility would be provided for creation of job opportunities in 22 model villages, which are in the process of construction in flood-hit areas of the province. This was informed during a meeting to review the pace of implementation of model villages' project in the flood-affected areas here on Thursday.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif chaired the meeting which was also attended by Senior Advisor Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa, provincial parliamentarians, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Chairman Planning and Development, Secretaries of Finance, Housing and Forests departments, Commissioner Dera Ghazi Khan and senior officers.
The meeting was also informed that the Punjab government has constituted a Model Village Management Board comprising local industrialists, philanthropists and representatives of NGOs in every district for the provision of basic amenities in model villages. Also, a Model Village Community Organisation would also be established in each district that would work with the Board.
While addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said construction of model villages was in full swing and would be handed over to the affectees after their completion within stipulated period. He directed the Chief Secretary to evolve a transparent policy for the allotment of houses to the affectees in model villages.
According to him, the model villages were being constructed in place of the villages wiped out by the flood and dispensary, vocational training institutions, school, sewerage system, water supply, livestock sheds, spacious roads, parks and other facilities were also being provided in these villages.
Beside provincial government, various NGOs and welfare organisations were engaged in the construction of houses in the devastated areas. On the occasion, Provincial Disaster Management Authority Director General Khalid Sherdil informed the meeting about the pace of implementation of the project of model villages.