Rs10bn funds for flood-hit people rehabilitation withheld by the federal govt, says Mahmood Khan
PESHAWAR
Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has expressed serious reservations over the non-provision of Rs10 billion funds by the federal government for the rehabilitation of people affected by recent floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said the provincial government reserved the rights to approach the court for releasing the withheld funds. Mahmood Khan expressed these views while chairing the cabinet meeting here on Tuesday. “All political and legal options would be utilized for getting the Provincial rights. In case the same are not provided, the matter will be taken to the court to get justice,” he added.
To reduce flood damages in future, the Chief Minister directed the concerned authorities to conduct a survey for establishment of a dam on River Swat, adding it will the government to generate cheap electricity and contribute towards bringing the barren lands under cultivation. The construction of a dame on the river will also mitigate the damages cause by floods in the future. The meeting besides the cabinet members was also attended by the Provincial Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, Senior Member Board of Revenue and Administrative Secretaries of various government departments.
Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information & PRs Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif while briefing media persons about the decisions of the cabinet meeting at ITLA’A Cell informed that the Chief Minister directed the relevant authorities to complete the ongoing survey for the losses incurred by the flood. The cabinet, he said, was informed on this occasion that KP is the only province that started the payment of compensation to the flood-stricken people and the payment process will be completed with the completion of the survey. He said the Chief Minister also directed for removing encroachments off the rivers, streams and water channels so as to avoid losses and damages during floods in future. He further said that work on the establishment and rehabilitation of small dams in other parts of the province will also be initiated soon to minimize the chances of flood damages.
The provincial cabinet also approved the up-gradation of Tehsil Razar, District Swabi to the status of a Sub-Division. The Cabinet, he said, also accorded approval to pay remuneration and allowances to the local government representatives. The cost of the remuneration for the representative will cost the government Rs 1479.365 million annually.
The Cabinet also decided to select the convener of Tehsil City Council through elections to be conducted by the Election Commission. The cabinet, he said, also accorded approval to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Conservancy and Biosphere Reserve Rules, 2022 to protect Biodiversity and promote its sustainable use. The cabinet, he further informed, also approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Environmental Improvement Fund (KKP-EIF) Board Rules, 2022. The rules authorize the Chairperson and the Secretary of the Environmental Improvement Fund to operate the designated account jointly with due approval of the board and make expenditures as per rules.
He further said that the formed has decided to work on 60 million dollar loans from the Asian Development Bank for the rehabilitation and restoration of the irrigation channels and infrastructure damaged by the floods.
The KP Forestry Commission (Amendment) Act, 2022 with the purpose to include Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as Chairperson and Minister of the department or Advisor to Chief Minister or Special Assistant to Chief Minister concerned as Vice Chairperson of the commission.
The cabinet also approved the transfer of 18 Kanal land owned by LG & RDD at Zafar Park Batkhela, Malakand to Higher Education Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the establishment of Government t Girls Degree College Batkhela, he further informed.
Similarly, the cabinet also approved the transfer of 3 Kanal and 3 Marlas land owned by the Irrigation Department to Higher Education Department for the establishment of Government Girls Degree College at Urmar Bala, Peshawar.
The SACM further informed that the cabinet also approved changes in the composition of the Board of Directors of Trans Peshawar.
Similarly, the establishment of Provincial Flood Response Coordination Center (PFRCC) to coordinate with National Flood Response and Coordination Center (NFRCC) for smooth conduct of relief operations, achieving optimum synergy between Federal/Provincial Departments, disaster management authorities and donors etc. in the wake of recent devastating floods.
The cabinet also approved enrollment of the sons/wards nominated by the retired or due to be retired 21 Khasadars of the erstwhile FATA against the vacant posts for absorption in the KP police in light of Peshawar High Court (PHC) judgment, he informed.
The SACM further informed that the cabinet also approved the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (Amendment) Act, 2022 enabling PEDO to address the issues of fundraising.
Furthermore, the cabinet approved the appointment of Amer Khan Jadoon as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Oil and Gas Company Limited (KPOGCL).
