ANP govt completes various uplift schemes in KPK’ PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Agriculture, Arbab Ayub Jan has said that the government has prepared strategy for starting work on five hydropower projects. Speaking in Meet the Press programme held under the auspices of the Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) here at Peshawar Press Club (PPC) on Friday, he said that with efforts of the provincial government peace has been restored while under 18th Constitutional Amendment, the province has got autonomy and rights over its resources. He said that the World Bank has also committed the provision of soft loan for the projects, which will be completed in a period of three to four years. The projects will generate 300 to 400 megawatt electricity. He said that the ANP led government had taken over the reigns of power in very difficult situation, but under their election manifesto they initiated efforts and succeeded in the fulfillment of the electoral commitment of the restoration of peace after sacrificing the lives of more than 400 party workers. He said that Pakistan army, police, media and people of the province have played remarkable role in fight against terrorism. The minister said that the provincial government under 18th Constitutional Amendment achieved provincial autonomy and the concurrent list was abolished. He said that hydel power generation is big potential of the province and under the amendment in the constitution the right of the province on its resources has been recognized. He said that the provincial government now could initiate work on the hydropower generation on its own. He said before the constitutional amendment, the provinces were allowed to build only up to 50 to 60 megawatt power projects, but now they could even go for obtaining of foreign loan for projects. Arbab Ayub Jan expressed gratitude to the party leadership for the fulfillment of the longstanding demands of the people of the province. The renaming of the province and provincial autonomy, he said were their 60 years old political goals. He said that the share of the provinces under 7th National Finance Commission (NFC) Award had been increased and now the provinces are getting more than 56 per cent of the federal divisible pool and the remaining go to federal government. The new arrangement, he said has resulted in bringing maximum increase in financial resources of the province. Arbab Ayub Jan said that the provincial government has also planned the provision of subsidized electricity to industries on the pattern of Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate to attract investment in industrial sector. Similarly, he said that the provincial is also working for the promotion of solar energy system to attract investment in the sector. In this connection, he said the provincial government will soon sign formal agreement with the companies. He said that for the development of the agriculture and supply of irrigation water, the provincial government sanctioned 500 tube-wells and offered 50 percent subsidy on their installation. Out of the total tube-wells 400 had already been installed while the remaining 100 will be completed in the current calendar year. For increasing under cultivation area, he said a three-year plan was announced, but later it was extended to four years. Under the plan, he said more 20,000 acres land will be brought under cultivation. Eighty per cent of the land leveling is bear by the government, he added. He said that the provincial government under annual development programme (ADP) has purchased 50 bulldozers and 25 more will be purchased during next financial year. He said that the province for first time has become self-sufficient in the production of the seed of wheat, saying the department is providing 4 to 5 certified varieties of seed. (APP)
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 12:27:58 +0000
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