PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Minerals department’s 100% Annual Development Program (ADP) fund remained unutilised in the first quarter of the current fiscal year.
Due to the inability of the department to utilise the allocated funds, the projects included in the Minerals department’s ADP have been delayed. The finance department documents show that out of the Rs246 million, allocated for six projects, a total of Rs175 million were released to the KP minerals department’s but it has failed to spend on any of the projects identified in the ADP.
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The KP finance department also failed to release Rs46 million allocated for enhancing the capacity of minerals testing laboratory and Rs25 million for fencing the emerald mine in Swat district.
The KP Finance Minister Taimur Salim Jhagra had announced on the first day of the current finance year that for the first time in the history, the government has released 100% budget. He claimed that it will facilitate the departments to complete the development projects without any delay.
On the contrary, the projects of many departments have not been able to receive the development funds. Due to which uplift projects have been delayed and their cost is increasing. According to sources, due to the financial constraints, the provincial government is not providing funds to the departments despite earning huge revenues in term of taxes other sources.
Internship program
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Department of Industries has announced start an internship program in different industries to produce skilled workers for industries. The officials said that the program will be started at the cost of Rs288 million. They added that several universities in KP impart engineering education and have limited internship program. But, the officials said, several students couldn’t avail internship due to limited opportunities.
Therefore, the government to start the internship program to prepare skilled staff for the industries. During the internship period, the government will provide monthly stipends. Under the program internships will be provided to students in industries in the province but international organizations will also be contracting for training internees.
According to the officials, this initiative will give an opportunity to the students to know the needs of the market. After completing their trainings, the companies can also offer jobs to the deserving students.