Ijaz Kakakhel Islamabad
A legislative body of Upper House of parliament on Monday was informed that federal government made commitment of Rs1 trillion for development of erstwhile FATA in 10 years with Rs.100 billion per annum but Federal Government has only released Rs.85.5 billion in last four years and currently there is deficit of Rs.314.5 billion. The Senate body discussed the non-implementation of commitments made by Federal Government during 25th Constitutional Amendment for mainstreaming of merged districts of erstwhile FATA.
Sohail Khan, DG Sustainable Development Unit (SDU) KPK, apprised the committee that Federal Government made commitment of Rs1 trillion for development of erstwhile FATA in 10 years with Rs.100 billion per annum but Federal Government has only released Rs.85.5 billion in last four years and currently there is deficit of Rs.314.5 billion. He further added that if Federal Government released all the promised funds then it will help only in completion of ongoing projects.
Meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) was held here at Old PIPS Hall, Parliament Lodges today with Senator Hilal-ur-Rehman in Chair. Moreover, as to current status regarding rehabilitation of TDPs and payment of compensation of damages in merged districts. Ali Akbar, Deputy Secretary Finance Division, informed the committee that federal government has released Rs.112 billion against the promised Rs.95 billion. However, the finance division recommended the Relief department to conduct audit of funds allocated so far but the concerned failed to do so in the last two years and due to non-compliance of recommendation finance division has stopped the allocation of fund. The Chairman suggested that forensic audit should be made of all funds allocated to erstwhile FATA so far.
The Committee was also briefed about the Geo tagging of ongoing projects which was recommended by committee in it’s previous meeting. Senator Hilal ur Rehman appreciated the KPK Government for this initiative and formed a Sub-Committee to expedite the progress on these projects. While discussing the utilization of funds allocated to Irrigation Department of KPK for Tribal District Mohmand and Banjaur in the last three years. Senator Hilal ur Rehman remarked that according to documents provided by irrigation department in last meeting, a total of Rs.860 million have been utilized.
