The Punjab Planning and Development (P&D) Board has issued new guidelines related to PC-I for approval of development projects for the financial year 2026-27.
According to the new instructions, all provincial departments will have to ensure implementation of approved development schemes as per the set targets and timeline.
According to the P&D Board, it will be mandatory for each development project to clearly state its total cost, completion period, responsible officer, expected results and performance indicators, while regular monitoring of the progress of the projects and the results achieved will also be done.
Under the new policy, departments will have to provide the names, cost, location and all other details of development schemes in advance, correctly and completely, so as to ensure transparency in the approval and implementation of projects.
The guidelines also direct that unnecessary changes in development schemes should be avoided during the financial year, while safety measures should also be made a mandatory part of every project to deal with the possible risks of floods, natural disasters and climate change.
The P&D Board has clarified that government funds can be spent only on regularly approved development schemes.
Furthermore, all provincial departments have been directed to submit their annual performance reports by August 31, while the government will also issue a ranking of departments based on effective use of the budget and performance.