The National Assembly on Saturday passed a resolution demanding transfer of amount of development projects, executed under Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) programme, to Non-Lapsable Account (NLA) at the end of fiscal year (2022-23). Minister for Water Resources Syed Khurshid Shah moved the resolution.
In our view, it is a commendable step on part of the lower house towards efficient financial management. Funds are issued to each and every district by federal government to carry out development activities under the SDGs. However it has been observed that these funds remained lapsing at the end of fiscal years that only led to non-completion of projects, causing considerable dent to national exchequer and creating problems for public. In this backdrop, preventing the lapsing of funds will entail numerous benefits including maximum resource utilisation enabling completion of development projects within designated timelines.
Since the resolution was adopted by whole house, government should give due consideration to it and in fact should not have any objection to pursue the path shown by lower house. We believe that efficient allocation and utilisation of funds contribute significantly to streamlined project implementation. The timely completion of development projects directly correlates with accelerated socio-economic progress. Infrastructure development, social welfare programmes, and initiatives aimed at poverty alleviation are critical for uplifting communities and fostering economic growth. By ensuring that allocated funds are used efficiently and not lost due to lapsing, government can expedite completion of the projects.
Consequently, people will enjoy improved living standards, enhanced access to essential services and increased employment opportunities. Additionally, it is also important that local governments are fully empowered and strengthened both financially and administratively which will not only fast track execution of important projects but also help in addressing people’s problems at their doorsteps. We have seen this in Karachi during the tenures of Mustafa Kamal and Naimutallah Khan both of whom executed some very extraordinary projects. This is the reason that these two mayors are still remembered by people of Karachi. Powers must be devolved to local bodies as per spirit of 18th amendment to bring a visible change in our towns and cities.
