Sindh Govt made 50% cut on Education’s ADP despite 24 Billion losses due to floods

By: Yasir Babbar

KARACHI, Oct 20 (PPI): Sindh Government has made fifty percent cut on Annual Development Progarmme (ADP) 2010-11 of Education and Literacy department, instead of to give it special assistance to overcome their Rs 24 Billion losses due to recent heavy floods, it is learnt to PPI here on Wednesday.

This decision was taken during the meeting chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary (P&D) Mohammad Ishaq Lashari at his office, Additional Secretary Education (PD&F) Ashfaque Ahmed Qadri and others have attended the meeting and reviewed the ADP schemes.

Education Ministry’s officials have briefed the meeting that Rs 7,030 millions were allocated for the fresh and on going development schemes of the department, from which about 30 percent schemes have been completed yet, many of them are ready for physical work and rest are still in process of documentation.

Additional Chief Secretary (P&D) Mohammad Ishaq Lashari said during the meeting that on the directives of Chief Mister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, we are modifying ADP 2010-11 of all departments as we can collect the huge amount for the purpose of Rehabilitation of Millions of Flood victims of the Province.

After a long discussion, it was finalized that 50 percent cut would be made on the total amount of ADP but on going schemes would be completed soon within the budget and time limits.

In this connection when contacted, Additional Secretary Education (PD&F) Ashfaque Ahmed Qadri confirmed this and said that after the deep discussion within the department, we have accepted the cut on ADP 2010-11.

In a question, he said that every body knows the importance of Education but in this situation, where every individual is contributing for the flood relief and rehabilitation so why not government’s own departments can sacrifice? It’s also our duty to help out the flood survivors.

He expressed hope and said Ministry of Education is in contact with International donors Organization and they would help us to overcome the losses of Education sector in the province.
END-PPI
NNNN