He said that eleven sectors were considered included in 33 projects, containing seven projects in water costing Rs 100026.108 million; six projects in communications costing Rs 14468.659 million including FEC Rs 7463.127 million; four projects in health costing Rs 23551.155 million including FEC Rs 919.117 million; three projects in devolution and area development costing Rs 2590.455 million including FEC Rs 374.528 million; two projects in rural development costing Rs 10407.3 million including FEC Rs 7111.03 million; two projects in electronic media amounting to Rs 2639.75 including FEC Rs 1573.488 million; two projects in physical planning and housing costing Rs 6801.906 million including FEC Rs 1056.42 million; two projects in education amounting to Rs 10019.199 million including FEC Rs 4153.337; three projects in energy amounting to Rs 12875.314, including foreign exchange component of Rs 6660.102; and one project each in IT and industry costing Rs 1841.130 million and Rs 311 million respectively.
The approved projects indicate increased spending on social sector, water, energy, and communications.
These projects would improve availability of irrigation water, increased production of electricity, improvement in communication network and provision of quality education to empower people, create job opportunities, improve social services, including health and education facilities and reduce poverty, said the minister.
The NEC would be held by end-January or early February to review the projects under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali.
Currently, 17.24 percent (Rs 32 billion) funds have been released, and 65 percent (Rs 20.8 billion) of the released funds have been utilized during Jul-Sep 2003, Aziz said.
Planning Commission is monitoring 300 projects worth over Rs 40 million by 140 officials. Now project Directors are being appointed independently for over Rs 100 million projects. Department for International Development (DFID) is working out how to improve utilization in development projects.
The sector-wise details of the approved projects are as follows:
WATER: Ecnec approved Rs 700 Million for construction of 43 new minor canals in the command of Pat feeder canal and remodelling / extension of existing 49 minor canals.
Located in Naseerabad district of Balochistan, the project would ensure equitable distribution and irrigate an area of 74884 acres with assured and dependable water.
It would increase agriculture production in Balochistan and significantly contribute to create employment and increase GDP.
To make Punjab irrigation system even more efficient and improve water management, the Ecnec approved Rs 29049 million Punjab barrages rehabilitation and modernization project.
Under the project Jinnah, Taunsa, Khanki, Balloki, Sulemanki, and Islam Barrages in Punjab will be modernized and rehabilitated.
The meeting approved Rs 30996.20 million lining of irrigation channels project in Punjab. The project would enable increased water supply, water conservation and generation of new water resources.
It would also reduce seepage, improve environment, and ensure operational efficiency of the irrigation system in Punjab. Under the project, 8873 canal miles of the channels will be lined.
It would involve 2.582 million tons cement, 3963 tons of re-inforced concrete and save around 0.98 maf water. The project is expected to generate employment and create increased demand for cement.
Extension of Pat Feeder canal for utilization of Indus water for Balochistan as per water accord 1991 was approved at a cost of Rs 2243.708 million. It would provide irrigation supplies to an additional area of 159000 acres located at the tail-end of the canal.
It would increase present discharge of Pat Feeder from 6700 cusecs to 8560 cusecs. The project is expected to increase agricultural production and generate employment in the region.
Ecnec approved Rs 12445 million for Lining of distributaries and minors in Sindh province. It would benefit perennial and non-perennial areas in the canal command of Guddu, Sukkur, and Kotri barrages.
Under the project 1752 miles of distributaries and minors in saline areas of Guddu, Sukkur, and Kotri barrages would save around 0.954 maf water from seepage losses and bring around 445684 acres new land under cultivation. The project would increase agricultural production, improve water distribution, and generate employment opportunities.
Ecnec approved Rs 4485.200 million for Balochistan Effluent Disposal into RBOD. The project would increase agricultural production by providing effective drainage system in the Pat feeder Canal Ground.
Rs 20107 million Irrigation System Rehabilitation Project Punjab was approved to provide equitable and assured water supply to the farmers by strengthening 9520 km canal, 750 modules and 90 regulators.
ENERGY: Ecnec approved Keyal Khawar Hydropower project at total cost of Rs 7066.862 million with foreign exchange component of Rs 3032.080 million.
It would generate 479 GWH energy per annum out of which 135 GWH will be available during four hours per day peak. It would provide cheap source of electrical energy to the consumers and offset reliance on oil-fired electric generation.
Rs 2909.35 million with foreign exchange component of Rs 1748.02 million Sahiwal 500 KV substation project was approved in the province of Punjab to ensure reliable and quality power supply to the consumers.
The meeting approved up-gradation of Load Dispatch System (Phase II) at the cost of Rs 2895.00 million with foreign exchange component of Rs 1880 million. The project to be executed in Islamabad envisages state-of-the-art computer equipment, system control and data acquisition, telecommunication system, remote terminal units to all power generation stations and 500/220 KV grid stations. The system would ensure smooth supply of electricity to the power consumers.
HEALTH: To provide state-of-the-art medical facilities to the Northern Areas and to create an effective health infrastructure, the Ecnec approved Rs 549.179 million with foreign exchange component Rs 207.201 million for Gilgit Institute of Radiotherapy and nuclear medicines.
The institute would provide treatment to 5000 new patients and equal number of follow-up cases suffering from a variety of cancerous and non-cancerous diseases.
The Ecnec approved Rs 22460.660 million National Programme for Family Planning and Primary Health Care.
It would deploy 87500 lady health workers to provide primary health care especially in less developed rural areas. The programme would reduce mortality, improve health care and give access to the people to the family planning choices.
The Ecnec approved Rs 714.197 million including foreign exchange component of Rs 711.916 million for Children Hospital, a component of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).
The programme to be executed with the help of JICA would restore damage to the Children Hospital caused by the Monsoon rains in July 2001.
It would also provide primary/secondary health care services, improve governance and management through training, monitoring and supervision, ensure availability of diagnostic services and enhance immunization coverage.
The meeting also approved establishment of Multan Institute of Cardiology at a cost of Rs 754.277 million. The Institute would provide 150 bed Cardiology Institute at Multan to provide diagnostic and therapeutic facilities relating to heart diseases in Southern Punjab.
EDUCATION: The meeting approved Rs 5759.395 million Madrassah Reforms Programme. To be executed throughout Pakistan, including FATA, FANA, AJK and ICT under the directives of the President, it would bridge the gap between formal and Madrassah education.
It would introduce formal education in 8000 'Madaris' (Primary 4000, Middle 3000 and Intermediate 1000). The selection of Madaris will be made in consultation with the provincial governments including AJK, FATA, FANA, and ICT.
The programme would bring Madaris in mainstream through provisions of grants, salaries, cost of text books, teachers training and equipment.
Under the programme formal subjects: English, Mathematics, Social Studies, and General Science would be introduced at the primary, middle, and secondary levels, while English, Economics, Pakistan Studies and Computer Science will be introduced at intermediate level.
Overseas Scholarship Scheme for MS (Engg.) / PhD in Engineering fields programme was approved at a cost of Rs 4259.804 million with foreign exchange component of Rs 4153.337 million.
The programme envisages an increase in research facilities in the public sector universities, provide more PhDs as faculty members to bring educational standard at par with international universities, bridge the gap of professionals and to encourage higher education at cost effective prices.
Under the programme, 950 intakes from 2007-09 in the areas of engineering sciences, pharmaceuticals, bio-technology, information technology, social sciences, agricultural sciences and health sciences would substantially improve the educational standards in the universities.
PHYSICAL PLANNING AND HOUSING: Under the directives of the President, Ecnec approved Rs 399.406 Urban Water Supply Scheme Phase IV to provide 3.5 mgd additional drinking water for the population of 0.317 million of Mirpurkhas by the year 2020.
Southern Punjab Basic Urban Services Project costing Rs 7458.92 million with foreign exchange component of Rs 1056.42 million was approved to provide municipal services in 425 low-income areas of 21 towns of six districts, safe drinking water in 7 towns, construction of 19 waste water treatment plants, slaughter houses and such other facilities related to social infrastructure.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: The meeting approved Rs 1841.130 million IT / Computer Science teachers/Lab in charges programme. To be executed throughout Pakistan, the programme would ensure quality computer education at matriculation and intermediate levels by establishing computer laboratories and skilled teaching staff.
Under the programme, 1098 qualified computer teachers would be recruited and number of selected high schools, higher secondary schools and inter colleges will be provided computer labs.
The project would create employment opportunities and ensure quality education in IT at the grass-roots levels.
ELECTRONIC MEDIA: To equip Pakistan Television Corporation with the latest equipment to improve its professional output, the Ecnec approved Rs 2207.360 million including foreign exchange component of Rs 1430.960 million replacement of electronic equipment project.
Under the programme the equipment at PTV stations Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta will be replaced to shift from analogue technology to the state-of-the-art digital broadcasting.
The meeting approved Rs 432.390 million with foreign exchange component of Rs 142.528 million for setting up TV programme production and transmission facilities for Muzaffarabad. The project also envisages installation of seven relay centres at Kotli, Rawalakot, Bahgh, Palandri, Bhimber, Neela But and Mirpur.
COMMUNICATION: The meeting approved improvement and upgradation of N-65 road from Dera Allah Yar to Nuttal road in Balochistan at a cost of Rs 770.058 million.
Under the project the existing 6.1 metre wide road would be widened to 7.3 metres to ensure smooth flow of increased traffic between Sindh and Balochistan.
It would improve physical infrastructure in Balochistan and create employment opportunities.
Improvement of Western Bypass Quetta costing Rs 225.47 million was approved to widen the carriageway from single lane to two lanes.
Construction of 247 km long Kalat-Quetta - Chamman section of the National Highway (N-25) was approved at a cost of Rs 6671 million with foreign exchange component of Rs 4036 million.
To be co-financed by ADB, the existing road would be widened from 6.1 metres to 7.3 metres to cater for the projected increase to 7276 vehicles per day. The section would also provide a link between Chamman and Gwadar.
The meeting approved revised cost of Rs 5523 million, including foreign exchange component of Rs 3074.127 million for procurement of 30 diesel electric locomotives by Pakistan Railways.
The procurement of locomotives would improve efficiency of railway.
Ecnec approved Rs 780.031 million including foreign exchange component of Rs 353 million for expansion and improvement of telecommunications facilities in Northern Areas.
The project provides for conversion of 4190 lines into electro-mechanical devices (HEMD). Installation of additional 7410 digital lines, relocation of 2380 SDE lines and installation of 5100 additional WLL lines.
The project would provide effective link between Northern Areas and rest of the country.
Ecnec approved Rs 499.01 million to establish 48000 lines, Outside Plant (OSP) upgrade 3200 lines in 20 cities of AJ&K to cater for the existing and projected demand up to 2006.
INDUSTRY: The infrastructure and Area Development at Karachi Export Processing Zone (Phase II) was approved at a cost of Rs 311 million. Under the programme, the existing utility services will be extended to fulfil the requirements of additional 100 acres for setting up of export-oriented industries.
The project would increase industrial production, boost exports, and create employment opportunities.
DEVOLUTION AND AREA DEVELOPMENT: The meeting approved Rs 840 million, including Rs 800 million foreign exchange components for construction of roads in FATA.
Ecnec approved Rs 1926.065 million AJ&K community development programme including foreign exchange component of Rs 1614.60 million to improve social infrastructure including construction of rural roads, water supplies schemes, micro-hydel stations and mini-dams.
It also approved public resources management reforms programmes for Punjab. To be commissioned with technical assistance of Asian Development Bank costing Rs 232 million to reduce poverty through good governance including improved public sector resource management.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT/FARM TO MARKETS ROADS: Ecnec approved the area support project costing Rs 1556.30 million including foreign exchange component of Rs 925.03 million.
The project would be spread over seven tehsils of Dir District to improve the status of women, boost agricultural production, improve access to markets through feeder roads, capacity building, training, enhancing productivity of livestock and creating rural employment, gender development, environment conservation and wild life protection.
The meeting also approved Rs 8851 million Balochistan Road Sector Development Project with the foreign exchange component of Rs 6186 million. Under the project, 462 km of provincial highways will be improved and 558 km of 13 rural access roads would be constructed to develop an effective road network in the province of Balochistan.
The Ecnec also reviewed the progress on earlier approved projects and emphasized the need of ownership to make progress on the project outcome driven.
Ministers for Agriculture, Privatization, Education, Housing, Industries, Water and Power, Petroleum, IT, Advisor on Science and Technology, Provincial Planning Ministers and Secretaries of the respective departments attended the meeting.
SECTOR-WISE PROJECTS APPROVED BY ECNEC ON JANUARY 7, 2004
1) Health (4 projects) Rs 23551.155 million.
2) Energy (3 projects) Rs 12875.314 million.
3) Water (7 projects) Rs 100026.108 million.
4) Physical Planning/housing (2 projects) Rs 6801.906 million.
5) Education (2 projects) Rs 10019.199 million.
6) IT (one project) Rs 1841.103 million.
7) Electronic media (2 projects) Rs 2639.75 million.
8) Communications (6 projects) Rs 14468.659 million.
9) Industries (one project) Rs 311 million.
10) Devolution (three projects) Rs 2590.455 million.
11) Rural Development (two projects) Rs 10407.3 million.
33 projects Total: Rs 185.6 billion.