Vows all political, legal options will be utilized for getting provincial rights
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cabinet in a meeting held here on Tuesday with Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in the chair expressed concern over the non-provision of Rs. 10 billion announced by the Federal Government for rehabilitation of the flood affectees and resolved that all political and legal options would be utilized for getting the Provincial rights. In case the same are not provided, the matter will be taken to the court to get justice.
To reduce flood damages in future, the Chief Minister directed the concerned authorities to conduct a survey for the establishment of a dam on River Swat as this will not only help generate cheap electricity and contribute towards bringing the barren lands under cultivation but will also minimize the chances of flood damages.
The meeting besides the cabinet members was also attended by the Provincial Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, Senior Member Board of Revenue and Administrative Secretaries of various government departments. Special Assistant to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Information & PRs Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif while briefing media persons about the decisions of the cabinet meeting at ITLA’A Cell informed that the Chief Minister directed the relevant authorities to complete the ongoing survey for the losses incurred by the flood effectees on emergency basis so as to ensure the rehabilitation and early return of the affectees to their houses.
The cabinet, he said, was informed on this occasion that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the only province that started the payment of compensation to the flood-stricken people and the payment process will be completed with the completion of the survey. The cabinet, he said, also felicitated Mr. Babar Saleem on assuming the charge of the portfolio of the Advisor to Chief Minister on Home and Tribal Affairs Department.
The SACM further said that the Federal Government was not treating the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province fairly and wanted to create financial hardships for it by not providing its due share of billions of rupees under the net profit on hydel power. This step-motherly treatment by the Federal Government is against the norms of democracy, the cabinet observed. He said the intentional delay in the provision of resources and due rights by the Central Government has caused financial constraints for the province, however, the province has been managing the same by making alternate arrangements.
He said the Chief Minister also directed for removing encroachments off the rivers, streams and water channels so as to avoid losses and damages during floods in future. He further said that work on the establishment and rehabilitation of small dams in other parts of the province will also be initiated soon to minimize the chances of flood damages. The Chief Minister, he said, directed for reviewing the relevant laws and rules to enhance the efficiency of all the boards and authorities in the province.
Barrister Saif further informed that the Cabinet approved the upgradation of Tehsil Razar, District Swabi to the status of a Sub Division. The Cabinet, he said, also accorded approval to pay remuneration and allowances to the Local Government Reps under the relevant rules, which will cost a sum of rupees 1479.365 million annually.
