Under the leadership of Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Friday approved six development projects totaling Rs. 227 billion.
Six initiatives from the ministries of water resources, information technology, health, and provincial projects were taken into consideration during the conference.
The initiatives include the Rs. 10.9 billion National Oilseed Enchantment Programme, the Rs. 110.7 billion Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rural Investment & Institutional Support project, and the Rs. 96 billion Mangla Dam Raising Project.
The forum also approved the construction of three sewage treatment plants and a related sewage system to treat wastewater that is discharged into the Korang River, costing Rs. 6.076 billion, as well as the establishment of a Danish School at Jia Khan Sohbatpur for Rs. 1.61 billion, a National Language Procession Laboratory for Rs. 0.078 billion, and other projects.
Programme for National Oilseed Enchantment
While adding the Sindh Component, the forum approved the National Oilseed Enchantment Programme, which had already received ECNEC approval. The project’s sponsor is the National Food Security and Research Division.
The project’s main goals are to boost the phase-by-phase yield of three potential crops, namely canola, sunflower, and sesame, increase the export potential of sesame seed, and encourage oilseed growers by providing subsidies for seed, inputs, and machinery as well as appreciation awards. It also aims to persuade the solvent industry to buy farmers’ products at a fair price and set up procurement hubs in key growing regions.
The management, administrative, and financial structures currently in place in the respective governments and executing organisations will be followed since the project will be carried out by federal and provincial governments and organisations. The Finance Division will transmit the federal portion immediately to the project-executing provincial agricultural department’s assignment accounts.
The Chief Economist, Members of the Planning Commission, the Additional Secretary of the Planning Ministry, and representatives from the other ministries and divisions were present at the meeting.
