The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) in its meeting here on February 25 will discuss 31 schemes and projects of 12 Ministries and Divisions cleared by the Planning Division. In the governance sector, four schemes ie raising of Balochistan Constabulary, tax administration reform programme, improvement of financial reporting and auditing (revised), balancing modernisation and replacement (BMR) of banknotes printing and finishing machinery for Security Printing Corporation (SPC), conversion of 'B' area into 'A' in 25 revenue districts of Balochistan (revised) would come under consideration.

In water sector, Ecnec will discuss Kurram-Tangi dam project and special repair of Sukkur Barrage right pocket and dredging work, left bank pocket (construction of regulator and link channel at Ruk complex).

The committee would also consider restructuring and strengthening of national agricultural research system, Balochistan, middle level education project, Balochistan (2nd revision), promotion of primary education for girls in NWFP Phase-II (WFP assisted), assistance to girls primary education project Phase-III, WFP assisted (Balochistan).

In higher education, Ecnec will approve scholarships for Pakistani university students being funded by Japan, strengthening of Higher Education Research Institute of Chemistry, infrastructure development at Comsats Institute of Information Technology (CIIT), Lahore, and enhancement of educational facilities at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), Islamabad.

Strengthening of the National Centre of Excellence in Geology (NCEG), Peshawar University, internal and external development of land in sector H-12 at Islamabad (for NUST), ERP software for supply chain management for Defence Ministry, gravity flow water supply schemes Abbotabad, improvement of water supply in Faisalabad would also be discussed.

In transport and communication sector, 6 projects including improvement of National Highway N-50, Kuchlac to Zhob (305.358 km), realignment of National Highway N-65, between Jacobabad and Dera Allahyar town, new bridge over Chenab river at Shershah on N-70, NWFP road development sector and sub-regional connectivity project-provincial component would be considered.

Rehabilitation and improvement of track on Pakistan Railways (7th, 8th, and first two years on the 9th plan period and purchase/ installation/ maintenance of TC scan RMG-2004 cargo expansion would be considered.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005