The government has released over Rs 33.7 billion under its Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2018-19 for various ongoing and new schemes against the total allocations of Rs 1,030 billion.
The released funds include Rs 21.8 billion for federal ministries and Rs 11.8 billion for special areas besides other projects, according to a latest data released by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms.
Out of these allocations, the government has released Rs 4.73 billion for Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission for which Rs 30.4 billion have been allocated for the year 2018-19, whereas for Maritime Affairs Division, an amount of Rs 414 million has been released out of total allocation of Rs 10.1 billion.
Similarly, Rs 201 million have been released for Cabinet Division for which the government has earmarked Rs 1.1 billion, whereas for Aviation division, an amount of Rs 210 million was released under PSDP 2018-19.
Higher Education Commission (HEC) received Rs 4.632 billion out of total allocation of Rs 46.67 billion while Interior Division obtained Rs 2.58 billion out of total allocation of Rs 24.2 billion for the year 2018-19.
The government also released Rs 3.38 billion for Railways division, Rs 821 million for Planning Division, Rs 553.8 million for National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination division, and Rs 60 million for Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority.
The government also released Rs 4.7 billion for AJK (block and other projects) out of its allocations of Rs 29.8 billion for the FY 2018-19 whereas for Gilgit Baltistan (block and other projects), an amount of Rs 7.1 billion out of total allocation of Rs 21.33 billion for the year 2018-19.
Similarly, the government also released Rs 110 million out of total allocation of Rs 8.5 billion for Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA).
The Planning Commission of Pakistan has been following a proper mechanism for the release of funds and accordingly funds are released as per given mechanism.
The commission releases 20% of funds in first quarter (July- September), 20% in second quarter (October-December), 25% third quarter (January-March) and 35% in fourth quarter (April-June).
Published in Daily Times, September 8th 2018.