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ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives was informed that Rs 900 billion have been allocated for federal development projects in the upcoming Budget 2021-22.
The committee notified Rs 900 billion have been allocated for federal and Rs 1,202 billion for provincial development projects. The first pre-budget meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives was held under the Chairmanship of Senator Mandviwalla.
In the meeting, a detailed briefing was taken on the funds set aside for the Annual Development Program (ADP) in the upcoming budget from the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives as well as the affiliated agencies.
According to the presentation on the upcoming PSDP, details on National Lay Out 2021-2022 were proposed federally as well as provincially and Ministry-wise funds Allocation were proposed and presented.
The committee informed that Punjab has been allocated Rs 500 billion and Sindh has been allocated Rs 321 billion for development projects in upcoming Budget 2021-22. It was further told that Rs 133 billion has been allocated for Balochistan and Khyber Pakhunkhwa has been allocated Rs 248 billion for various development projects.
Senator Saleem Mandviwalla said the timely evaluation monitoring and administering of projects at provincial and federal level, mechanism of transferring funds and allocation of budget by the Finance division will take place through this committee.
Replying to the questions of the members of the committee, the officials of the Planning, Development and Special Initiatives said that the projects submitted by the federal ministries are approved by the federal cabinet through the ministry.
The Chairman raised the question on the funds allocated for COVID- 19 and to ensure that hospitals are making the correct use of the allocation of funds on vaccination process at federal level as well as in their respective provinces.
The Chairman Committee said that the funds of the Annual Development Plans of the last financial year could not be utilized or less than the funds released. He added that the committee will ensure funds released for the annual development projects are spent on the projects in a timely manner.
Besides, a detailed briefing was taken from the agencies affiliated to the ministry on different development and non-development projects. Chairman Committee Senator Mandviwalla said that a very important committee meeting of the Senate is being briefed before the budget.
