Punjab govt utilised Rs300b development funds out of Rs337b in FY21: Bakht

Timely release of development funds will ensure timely commencement and completion of development schemes in the next fiscal year, he observed during a review meeting at the Planning and Development Department regarding the implementation of the annual development program.

The minister said that effective mechanism is being devised to monitor and evaluate the works while the third-party services will be ensured for transparency in the valuation system. District Commissioners will be mobilized for the success of the District Development Program. In addition to the Chief Minister Punjab, Chief Secretary Punjab, the heads of the concerned departments will review the progress of the projects on a monthly basis so that the issues faced can be resolved in a timely manner.

Hashim said that a timeline has been fixed for each phase of the proposed plan for speedy and efficient implementation of the development program for the financial year 2021-22 by the Department of Finance and Planning and Development Board. He instructed the departments for ensuring the timeline compliance. A comprehensive policy has been formulated for monitoring and evaluation of projects which will be introduced soon after the approval of the Cabinet

Finance Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo and Secretary Planning and Development Imran Sikandar briefed the meeting on the details of the proposed timelines and monitoring and evaluation system. 

The meeting was given a detailed briefing on the action plan for implementation of the annual development program. 

Stressing on the need to select quality contractors for development works, the Chief Secretary Punjab directed the departments to ensure the commencement of development activities with the provision of funds. 

The Secretary Finance informed the meeting that a notification of MRS rates will also be issued alongside 100% release of funds for development schemes.

The Secretary Planning and Development informed the meeting that pre-qualification of consultants has been initiated under the Planning and Development Board. The pre-qualification list will be notified in the first quarter of the financial year.