No government in the past succeeded in persuading Wapda over distribution of hydel profit, the chief minister told newsmen here. He said according to government's calculation, Wapda has to pay Rs 225 billion to NWFP.
Durrani said relief operation in earthquake-hit areas is in full swing with mutual co-ordination between provincial government, centre and the army.
He said President Pervez Musharraf has directed distribution of relief goods on fifty-fifty basis in NWFP and Azad Kashmir and all concerned departments involved in relief operations are operating with mutual co-ordination.
He said due to timely and effective measures taken by the federal and provincial governments and army, post-quake situation is under control.
The chief minister also disclosed he has declared affected districts of the province as 'calamity hit' areas, so that maximum relief activities could be diverted there. He said quake devastation was so severe that it will take years to rehabilitate affected people.
The provincial government, he said, has given unprecedented powers to DCOs in quake-hit districts and deposited millions of rupees in their account for distribution among affected people.
The federal government, he said, had earlier provided Rs 500 million to NWFP and has promised additional amount of Rs 1 billion. The chief minister thanked President Pervez Musharraf for extending maximum funds to NWFP for rehabilitation.
He also appreciated the spirit shown by people. He said the generosity shown by the people in this hour of trial is commendable.
In response to a question, the chief minister said if required the government would shift MPA's development fund to relief activities. We are ready to utilise all resources, he remarked.
About removal of debris of collapsed houses, the chief minister said committees would be constituted comprising concerned MPAs, districts and UC nazim for this purpose so that valuables recovered could be saved from being stolen.
He also informed officials of Afghan commissionarate would continue rehabilitation activities when army abandons relief operation. He said he has approved summary in this regard and all tent villages would be looked after by the staff of Afghan commissionarate.
The chief minister said people accommodated in tent villages, set up by the provincial government in Havelian, are provided all facilities. Whereas, widows and orphans are provided shelter, food and medicines in rehabilitation centres set up in Peshawar.
He said the government has decided to provide 6000 ready-made houses to shelterless people. These houses, he continued, would be constructed on state land.
In this regard, he said, a number of organisations have assured him of providing ready-made houses.