The Federal Functional Committee Senate Secretariat on problems of Less Developed Areas (PLDA) led by the Chairman Committee Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar and its four Committee Members Senator Gianchand, Senator Ayub Khan Afridi, Senator Sardar Muhammad Shafiq Tareen & Senator Kalsoom Parveen visited the Planning & Development Complex, Lahore to discuss future plans and take remedial steps to reduce the grievances of the people of less developed areas in Southern Punjab Districts.
On the occasion, the Punjab P&D arranged the detailed and comprehensive briefing session for the distinguished members committee in the auditorium of P&D Board. Punjab Chairman P&D Habib-ur-Rehman Gilani, all members P&D Board, Provisional Administrative Secretaries and other relevant officers attended the session. Chairman P&D Habib-ur-Rehman Gilani, welcoming the honorable members, gave a detailed and comprehensive presentation on the uplift of Southern Punjab Districts Rajanpur, Muzaffar Ghar, Layya and Lodhran.
Addressing the session, Chairman P&D Habib-ur-Rehman Gilani said that Punjab Government has been committed to uplift the Southern Punjab, grievances and problems of the people of less developed areas are being redressed by taking remedial steps. New funding allocations would be made for starting of development projects in less developed areas in upcoming financial year 2019-20 as the previous government had not seriously focused the southern punjab uplift during the five years back. All the essential projects directly relate to general public would also be top priority of the government. Economic opportunities and employment would be generated for public of southern punjab. The new Secretariat for Southern Punjab would be functional soon. Under the direction of Chief Minister Punjab, necessary arrangements for water sports and resorts for tourist are being made in final shape. Chairman P&D also stressed that technical and vocational centers for market skills needs to be established. Special allocation has been made for interest free business startup loan for youth. He also reiterated that punjab government has established a technology university in Dera Ghazi Khan as well as established the industrial zones in Vehari and Rahim Yar Khan.
After the detailed presentation made by the P&D, Chairman functional committee senate (PLDA) Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar said that issues relating to central government would be resolved by the said senate functional committee. The basic motive of the committee is to stand equality of development amongst the all provinces of Pakistan. At the session, Chairman committee made some reservations about the issues/matters of the less developed areas of the southern punjab districts. He focused on important issue of the flood arrangements in Rajanpur. We should give special focus on the wastage of dam water. Electricity may be provided in 40% villages of the Rajanpur. Both side roads of Sheikh Zayed Bridge may be constructed immediately. Clean drinking water is not available there. Less developed areas will have Benazir Income Support and Health Cards for 100% females. Tourist point should be developed and vacant vacancies in different departments be filled up. In Lodhran district in welfare betterment of formers, reforms in policy may be implemented. Vocational centers should be established for skills persons of their locality.