Public Sector Development Programme cut by Rs 79.5 billion

[Naveed Yaseen]

* Economic indicators showing upward trend: Gilani

By Ijaz Kakakhel
ISLAMABAD: Keeping in view the severe economic constraints the federal government has cut the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2008-09 of the social sector by Rs 79.5 billion.

This was informed to the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani during a presentation made by the Planning Commission here on Friday. The government announced Rs 100 billion cut and size of the total federal PSDP reduced to Rs 371 billion from initial Rs 471 billion. Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Sardar Assef, in a chat with journalists, said that the projects worth Rs 100 billion would be thrown forward under the rationalisation programme of the PSDP.

An official, who attended the presentation, told Daily Times that main cut was imposed on education and health sectors. The official said that the government had imposed 30 percent cut in education sector, 39 percent cut in health sector and 7.2 percent cut in media, culture, sports and youth affairs. Overall cut in the social sector was about Rs 79.5 billion out of the total cut of Rs 100 billion.

The PM was further informed that during the last six months about Rs 71 billion was released for PSDP funded projects, which accounts for 19 percent of the total while last year in the same time about Rs 133 billion or 40 percent releases were made.

The prime minister said government’s economic indicators were showing an upward trend. The global recession badly affected the whole world and same was the case with Pakistan. “When the new government was established, all economic indicators were going down and with the passage of time, recovery has started,” he maintained. However, the PM expressed the hope that the economic indicators would help the country through this period. He said that the government had taken some tough decisions in order to keep the country on path of development.

Adviser to the PM on Finance Shaukat Tareen told journalists that the government had to take tough decisions to address the state of economy that it inherited. He hinted that it would take some time before the economy could be turned around.

Deputy chief, PC later told reporters that the prime minister was briefed about the Rs 600 million Skill Development Programme that aims at training around 0.25 million highly skilled technicians annually. It would meet overseas requirement of labour force, which would be the main source of foreign exchange earning for the country. He said the candidates would be awarded international certifications and assured job placements after completion of six-to-one-year long courses to begin from next year all over Pakistan, Azad Kashmir, Northern Areas and FATA.

Deputy chairman PC further said that there was a need for additional storage capacity of up to 3.5 million tonnes, upgradation of cold storage and milk collection points. About the new project, he said that the government was considering initiating Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 and 4 soon.

Earlier, the PM directed the PC to incorporate 9-point economic agenda in their planning fold, which had already been approved by the Cabinet taking all the stakeholders on board for ensuring better coordination and implementation. He said he would hold a quarterly meeting to review the status of the projects. He also directed that all future planning should focus on areas, which could bring about positive change in the lives of the people through socio-economic development.

He directed the PC to induct a woman as a member in the task force to ensure representation of this important segment comprising of over 50 percent of the population. The PM said that foremost priority areas before the government are to address law and order situation and the economic crisis as both are interrelated.

Recalling last year’s economic situation, when the country was passing through a difficult time, the Gilani said the government took unpopular decisions in the best interest of the country. He said the government gave more importance to the agriculture sector to make the country self-sufficient in food.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg5_10