Sunday, August 14

11 'big' projects completed in Southern Punjab

At a high level meeting presided over by Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, approval was given to development projects worth billions of rupees under Large City and District Packages and Southern Punjab Development Programme (SPDP) including mega projects of infrastructure, education, health, sewerage and drainage from which a large number of people will benefit.
The CM said all out resources were being utilised for provision of basic amenities to the masses and rapid development of the province, and record development projects were completed during the last three and a half years and special attention was paid to the backward and less-developed areas of the province for bringing them at par with the developed areas, and development schemes were completed on priority basis in these areas. He added that completion of quality development projects on time and in a transparent manner was policy of Punjab government and transparent utilisation of every penny of public money had been ensured. “Service to the masses is a form of worship and those officers who have shown outstanding performance in completion of public welfare projects should be fully encouraged and their efficiency should also be highlighted in the annual confidential reports of these officers,” he said, adding that through this step, not only hardworking and competent officers would be encouraged but a spirit of competition would also be promoted among the officers demonstrating lethargic attitude in the public welfare schemes and development projects and they would also improve their performance. “A number of projects have been completed in 11 districts of the province under the SPDP and in the remaining districts under Large City and District Packages whereas remaining projects are being completed speedily. Such big projects are being given priority under these packages which can benefit maximum number of people,” he said, while directing that separate funds should be allocated for development and non-developmental expenditure under districts development programme during the current financial year and district coordination committees should monitor it and ensure that the funds allocated for development projects should only be spent on development activities.
The CM also said supply of clean drinking water to the masses was of utmost importance; therefore, in those areas where there was a problem of clean drinking water, water supply schemes should be completed on priority basis. He mentioned that priorities of development projects should be fixed in consultation with elected representatives of various districts. He directed that development schemes under special packages for Chiniot, Sargodha and Mandi Bahauddin be given final shape at the earliest. “On the pattern of Lahore, Parks and Horticulture Authorities should be set up in all big cities for making them beautiful and green. And a comprehensive planning should also be made for construction of parking plazas in big cities for streamlining the flow of traffic so that people should not face any problem,” he said.
He further said setting up a “public facilitation centre” for provision of all facilities under one roof to the citizens by government departments was a good idea presented by the Commissioner Gujranwala and launching it as a pilot project in two or three cities should be considered. “The estimates of development projects are also an important issue and Chairman P&D Board should evolve an effective strategy in this regard and present recommendations in the next meeting,” he said, while directing divisional commissioners to remain fully alert for coping with the damages to be caused by possible flood and rains and no effort should be spared in protecting life and property of the people and providing relief to the affectees in case of any emergency.
Earlier, Chairman P&D Board Javaid Aslam gave a detailed briefing with regard to implementation of various projects under the SPDP and large city and district packages whereas divisional commissioners informed about the new, on-going and the schemes completed under various development packages in their respective divisions.

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