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 While
presenting AJ&K budget for the FY 2010-11, the
Finance Minister AJ&K, Raja Nisar Ahmed Khan,
lauded the services rendered by ERRA and SERRA
to revive life in the 2005 earthquake affected
districts of AJ&K. Giving details of activities,
undertaken in the quake affected regions, from
rescue, emergency relief to ongoing
reconstruction and rehabilitation work, he said
that after the 2005 earthquake, Government of
Pakistan developed a comprehensive
reconstruction programme and ancillary plans. So
far 5,003 projects worth Rs.100 billion have
been approved. Out of these projects, 1,075 have
been completed; 2,142 are under construction,
whereas work on the remaining projects will
start from the next fiscal year. Out of Rs. 250
billion, envisaged as the total reconstruction
bill in AJ&K, Rs. 60 billion were earmarked for
disbursement among the earthquake victims as
housing subsidy.
The Finance Minister informed the house that
last year, besides Rs. 48.930 distributed as
housing subsidies, Rs. 13.920 billion were
allocated for reconstruction works. Owing to the
availability of funds work on a number of
projects sponsored by Kuwaiti, Saudi and Chinese
governments, and other NGOs has started. For the
upcoming fiscal year, Rs. 27.920 billion are
required for reconstruction and rehabilitation
work in the earthquake affected areas of AJ&K.
While presenting details of reconstruction and
rehabilitation completed so far, Finance
Minister said that it is commendable and indeed
very reassuring to see earthquake affectees
availing state-of-the-art healthcare facilities
in newly constructed hospitals. He expressed his
satisfaction over the work done by the local
government and rural development department,
SERRA, and development partners in the
education, health, power and telecommunication,
livelihood, environment, water and sanitation,
governance, social protection, and women
development sectors. He commended their efforts
and the role played by them in reconstruction
efforts.
Finance Minister mentioned that due to
completion of procedural formalities, work on
City Development Programmes in Muzaffarabad,
Bagh and Rawlakot was delayed, but now all three
master plans have been approved and work on them
has started. He expressed his hope that all
projects will be completed soon. He also
expressed his satisfaction over the performance
of ERRA and SERRA, while presenting sector-wise
details of reconstruction and rehabilitation
work in AJ&K.
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