Sindh govt plans to launch various projects in 2009

Karachi: Sindh Minister for Information Shazia Marri revealed the plans and projects that the Sindh government will either launch or complete in 2009.

The various programs in the pipeline are aimed at providing employment to the youth, encouraging the agriculture sector, ensuring food security, protecting the environment, promoting education, improving health facilities and the law and order situation of the province.

Talking about the government’s plans for 2009, Marri said that the government intends to increase pace on projects to control water logging and construction of small dams in the province, while also launching steps to prevent theft of irrigation water and ensure the availability of urea at specified rates.

She said that the PPP respects the 1991 Water Accord and is working for its immediate implementation. With regards to environment protection, she said that the government is planning the plantation of Neem trees throughout the province, while plans for the setting up of treatment plants are also in the pipeline.

“Around 3,400 schools were made functional in the province in 2008 and a further 4,000 will be opened this year,” said Marri. According to her, the government had announced the appointment of a total of 17,000 teachers, out of which 3,500 teachers have been appointed and 13,500 appointments will be made this year. Moreover, she added, the government has provided an amount of Rs 2.7 billion for the provision of facilities in existing schools.

Marri said that the government has started the regularization of villages in Karachi and intends to regularise a further 800 goths by June. Talking about the government’s housing program, she said that low cost housing projects will be launched in coastal areas of the province such as Badin and Thatta. She concluded by stating that the government will also launch a Media Centre, which will be established in a public-private partnership.