Cabinet raises rental power projects approval to 2,250MW

[Naveed Yaseen]

* Decides to adhere to austerity drive by limiting foreign tours
* PM says people of all provinces have common claim to food supplies

By Irfan Ghauri

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved plans to set up rental power projects generating 2,250MW to fast-track power generation and bridge the supply and demand in the country by the end of the year.

A press release issued after the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani stated the cabinet had discussed and ratified the decisions taken during Economic Coordination Committee meetings on August 11, 18 and 21. The premier said the country would accord top priority to ending load shedding in the country by December 2009. He said the nation could not afford to lose any economic activity because of the energy shortage.

Limiting: During the meeting, the cabinet also approved an initiative to limit the foreign visits taken by ministers, ministers of state, advisers, special assistants, secretaries and additional secretaries in charge as part of the austerity measures announced by the premier in his first speech in the National Assembly. Under the new policy, the dignitaries would only undertake foreign visits on government expense that are obligatory.

During his opening statement, Gilani said the government had fulfilled one of the promises from his inaugural address in the House by announcing the introduction of major legal and political reforms in FATA. He said the people of FATA would now enjoy equal political status and legal rights and would no longer be subjected to the whims of the administration. He said the introduction of Benazir Employees Stock Option Scheme was a step towards empowering workers in state-owned enterprises.

One for all: The premier said provision of relief to the common man was the government’s foremost priority and essential commodities were being sold at affordable rates during Ramzan. He said he had already given directions to abolish inter-provincial restrictions, adding the people of all provinces were united and have a common claim to food supplies.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg1_1

RPPs of 2,250 megawatts approved by Cabinet
RECORDER REPORT
ISLAMABAD (August 27 2009): The Cabinet has given approval to install 2250 MW fast track rental power plants to overcome the prevailing energy shortage. The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, discussed the demand-supply situation of electricity in the country and decided to install fast track power projects to bridge the gap before the end of this year.

The Prime Minister said that all resources would be utilised to end load shedding by December 2009 as it severely affects the country's economy. He said that the nation cannot lose more due to energy shortage. "Therefore, we have to act fast to keep the wheel of the economy moving." The meeting also discussed and ratified decisions of the ECC meetings held on August 11, 18 and 21, 2009.

In order to enforce austerity measures, announced by the Prime Minister in his first speech in the National Assembly, the Cabinet approved that Ministers/Ministers of State/Advisors/Special Assistants/Secretaries/Additional Secretaries-in-Charge and other dignitaries should undertake only those foreign visits on government expenses which are obligatory and for which participation is unavoidable.

The Cabinet also directed that duration of the visits be curtailed to the minimum. In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister said that after the announcement of historic decisions regarding introduction of major legal and political reforms in FATA, the government has fulfilled the promise made on the floor of the House in my inaugural address.

He said that now the people of FATA would be enjoying equal political status and legal rights and would no more be subject to the whims of the administration. Gilani said that another very important step taken by the democratic government was introduction of Benazir Employees Stock Option Scheme which is a step towards empowerment of the workers in the state owned enterprises.

The Prime Minister said that provision of relief to the common man is the foremost priority of the government. The price hike of essential food items during Ramazan was simply unacceptable to the government; therefore, special meetings were convened in this regard, he said.

The government, he added, decided to sell 100,000 tons sugar during Ramazan at Rs 38/kg, 150,000 tons of atta and 50,000 tons of ghee at reduced rates through Utility Stores, import 300,000 tons raw sugar, and suspended regulatory duty on import of potato during Ramazan, fixed ex-mill price of sugar at Rs 45/kg, reduced GST by 50 percent for three months and allocated 10,000 tons of imported sugar to Balochistan.

The Prime Minister said that he is personally monitoring the price situation on a regular basis and prompt action to plug the loopholes. He said that on the floor of the House he had made a pledge that the democratic government was committed to promoting transparency, accountability and good governance in public sector and volunteered to start with the audit of the Prime Minister's Secretariat.

To redeem the confidence of public, he urged all Cabinet members to show zero tolerance towards misuse of authority and inefficiency in running the affairs of their Ministries, and exercise prudence in use of government funds. He said that the 63rd Independence Day was celebrated with fervour and enthusiasm in all provinces including Balochistan and AJ &K.

In the valley of Swat, he said, there was jubilation. Peace has been restored after tremendous sacrifices by the military and civil forces and of course the people of Swat are returning to their homes. Balochistan celebrated Independence Day like other provinces, and demonstrated unity as nation, he said.

The Prime Minister said that he had already given direction to abolish inter-provincial restrictions on movement of goods and would not allow one country to be divided into 4 markets. "The people of all provinces and regions are united and have a common claim on food supplies," he remarked.

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