LAHORE
Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced development projects worth Rs 23 billion including “Own Farm, Own Employment” in Katcha area, and directed the authorities concerned to distribute 14,500 acres of government land in people of Katcha. She noted that government’s writ has been firmly established in the area, as it is for the first time in history that no criminal incident has occurred in Katcha area in 05 months.
She said that out of Rs 23 billion Katcha Area Development Program, Rs 7.1 billion will be spent on law and order, Rs 13.9 billion on social infrastructure projects, and Rs 1.7 billion on other matters. She added that schools, hospitals, roads, and bridges will also be built, and directed the relevant authorities to send ‘Clinic on Wheels’ to Katcha, besides providing a mobile veterinary hospital and lab in the area.
Chief Minister Punjab said that for the first time in Katcha area, modern solar-energy-powered drone surveillance has been launched, and state-of-the-art drones are capable of flying for more than 24 hours. She added that modern APCs and police vans will also be equipped with surveillance cameras, besides Safe City monitoring in police stations and check posts in the areas. She underscored that in Katcha area, 6,551 female students will be given school meal packages, 300 students will receive merit scholarships, and 300 will receive laptops.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that in Katcha, 27 schemes covering 108 km of paving and 144 km of roads will be completed. She added that construction, rehabilitation, and upgradation of 65 schools in Katcha area will be carried out, besides building 16 new schools and 02 girls’ colleges in the area. She flashed that approval has also been given to launch Model Village Project in Katcha area, besides introducing sewage, drainage, and sports projects there.
Chief Minister Punjab said that skills projects costing Rs 125 million will be launched in Katcha area, where registration of the poor has been started, computerized ID cards and B-forms will also be issued to the public.
She added that approval has been given for a Hard Area Allowance for the officers and personnels performing duty there, besides a plan to return illegal weapons in the area. She noted that digital monitoring of weapon returns will be carried out at the relevant police station; and money will be paid according to the condition of the weapon. She imposed a ban on planting tall crops along the edges of main roads in Kutcha.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that development and prosperity are rights of every individual in Katcha, just like other people in Punjab. She added that by developing Katcha, we will make it a safe, exemplary, and excellent area. She emphasised that now Kstcha will develop, the people of Katcha will prosper and earn dignified employment. — DNA
