The government of Balochistan for the restoration of damaged irrigation system of the province has submitted a project to Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval at the cost of Rs 4.4190 billion subject to availability of foreign funding.
Last year's devastating floods have damaged 141 perennial irrigation schemes, 32 delay action dams, 11 flood irrigation schemes 67 flood protection bunds and 155 buildings in Balochistan. Documents available with Business Recorder revealed that the provincial government has proposed the federal government to finance the project on federal and provincial cost sharing basis ie Rs 2 billion of federal share while Rs 2.4934 billion will be provincial share.
Firstly, total cost of the project was estimated at Rs 4.9 billions, but later it was reduced to Rs 4.4190 billions. The PC-I was prepared in very haphazard manner, as no relevant data is available in the PC-I. Therefore, the PC-I needs to be modified. Moreover, Balochistan government has suggested that third party validation should be incorporated in the PC-I to check and ensure the quality of work. In addition, the schemes should be framed in three categories ie immediate/emergent nature, medium and long-term work. This type of planning will not only lessen burden on the size of PSDP, but will also provide opportunity for undertaking quality work in efficient manner.
Breakdown of the project is as following: Perebial/Canal irrigation schemes would cost Rs 3.23 billion, delay action dams would cost Rs 253 million, flood protection schemes would cost Rs 693 million, flood irrigation schemes would cost Rs 157 million and software component would cost Rs 85 million.
The project was discussed by the Pre-CDWP in its meeting held under the Chairmanship of Member (Infrastructure), Planning Commission on April 4, 2011, wherein he suggested composition of Steering Committee to be headed by Member (Infrastructure), Planning Commission and comprising members from Planning Commission, representative of Ministry of Water and Power and Secretary Irrigation Department, Secretary Finance Department and representative from the Planning and Development Department Government of Balochistan.
The Chair directed to explore foreign assistance for financing of project. Further the schemes should be prioritised in terms of emergent/immediate, medium and long-term works and the modified PC-I be submitted for approval of ECNEC.
"The project was recommended for submission to the ECNEC for approval subject to: (a) inclusion of third party validation system in the PC-I, (b) Cost rationalisation and (c) Constitution of Steering Committee to be headed by the Member (Infra), Planning Commission."