Mahmood for bringing 600,000 hectare of barren land under cultivation to meet food demand
our corespondent
PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan Tuesday said food security is the top most issue of the province and the first food security policy of the province is its final stage which will lead to a green revolution in the province.
Presiding over the cabinet meeting here he said more than 600,000 hectare of land in southern districts would be brought under cultivation to meet the food needs of the province.
The cabinet deliberated on the food security issue and termed it a big problem. It called for taking pragmatic measures to make the province self-sufficient in the agriculture sector.
The CM directed the Food department to mend its ways and make the province self-sufficient in agriculture production.
He directed that Chashma Right Bank Canal (CRBC) project must be completed on priority and work should be initiated without any delay, adding the government is committed to start work on this project as future of our generation is dependent on it, they would even go for loans if needed to kick start of the project.
KP Government spokesman Kamran Bangash said the cabinet directed the food committee of the cabinet to devise a mechanism for shifting of 20 thousand metric ton sugar imported at Karachi Port.
It also approved Rs 240 million as supplement grant for fertilizer as the provincial government has to pay 30 percent of its share in the subsidy.
The cabinet also approved loans from Italian firm for development of two ware dam’s command area uplift. The cabinet also approved handing over the remaining Nasir Bagh Road completion to FWO.
The CM directed to expedite work on expressways in Peshawar, DI Khan and Swat while work on Peshawar Rehabilitation Program should also be prioritized.
The cabinet said that appointment of permanent Vice Chancellors (VCs) in all public sector universities of the province should be ensured within a month.
The CM directed the department of Higher Education and Elementary and Secondary Education to arrange second shift and double shift classes for the students who fail to secure admission in the morning.
He further asked the Elementary Education department to early complete the process of appointment on vacant posts in merged districts while ensuring transparency and upholding merit.
In the health sector, the Cabinet agreed to include the Kidney and Liver Transplant facility under the cover of Sehat Insaf Card Scheme and also approved autonomous status to health centers on need basis.
It also approved appointment of members of board of governors of MTI hospitals and early preparation of feasibility report of setting up of medical colleges in the merged districts. The CM directed to expedite rehabilitation work in hospitals and solid waste management system.
In the power sector, the cabinet directed the Energy and Power department to ensure timely completion of all mega projects and take measures for inauguration of Balakot Power Project by January 2021.
During the meeting, the CM directed all the departments should also follow the cabinet decision regarding transfer of employees working on the same post for two years as no leniency would be tolerated in this regard.
He also directed to expedite recruitments in health and education departments to meet the shortcomings and the capacity of ETEA must be enhanced to streamline the recruitment process which in future would be conducted through ETEA.
Mahmood Khan also directed to devise a mechanism for devolution of financial and administrative power to lower levels in health department for provision of best health facilities while he also ordered handing over of health department ambulances to Rescue-1122.
