The Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar Monday chaired a review meeting in which progress on 'Naya Pakistan Manzileen Aasan', community development programme and other public welfare schemes were reviewed along with other administrative and financial matters pertaining to ADP related schemes. Addressing the meeting, the CM Usman Buzdar said that an increase of 8350 beds has been made in government hospitals of the province in one year period adding that this would facilitate the people in their treatment. He directed to ensure early completion of cardiology institute, Mianwali hospital and Nishtar-II project in Multan adding that up-gradation of emergency of Services Hospital should be completed in one year.

The CM said that four new universities will be established in Punjab along with early completion of six under-construction universities. Similarly, six new special education centres are also being established in the province, he added.

The chief minister said that multi-faceted credit card scheme will be started for the farmers as soon as possible. He stated that Rs 1.5 billion have been allocated for the promotion of water and hill tourism. Meanwhile, launch of double-decker bus service will be ensured in Bahawalpur along with start of industrial estate project in Faisalabad, Taunsa and Muzaffargarh. He said that 40 thousand students will be given technical education in TEVTA institutions. Up to 1733 development schemes are included in phase-I and II of community development programme which will be completed with an amount of Rs 15.9 billion. As many as 174 roads will be repaired under Naya Pakistan Manzileen Aasan programme while 485 KM long roads are being constructed with an amount of Rs 70 billion.

He said that people will be facilitated due to the construction of Chichawatni-Rajana, Layyah-Taunsa, Shorkot-Jhang, Hasilpur-Bahawalnagar and Depalpur-Vehari roads. He said that guidelines have been issued for eight public sector projects and 5277 schemes will be completed with an amount of Rs 11.40 billion. The chief minister directed that approval procedure of development schemes should be made simplified as any undue delay in the approval of projects is not tolerable.

The chief minister was briefed that World Bank and other international development finance institutions will provide financial assistance for development schemes. Provincial ministers Hashim Jawan Bakht, Sardar Asif Nakai, provincial advisor Dr Salman Shah, Chairman P&D, concerned secretaries and others attended the meeting.

Moreover, the CM in a meeting reviewed the programme of providing basic facilities of life to urban and rural population. Progress on the ongoing schemes being completed in collaboration with the World Bank and Asian Development Bank as well as future projects were reviewed as well.

The chief minister said that funds are being allocated for non-functional water supply and sewerage schemes. He was briefed that water supply, sewerage, solid waste management and other public welfare schemes will be completed.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019