Development in NWFP, among government’s priorities: PM

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said the government’s policies would focus on the provision of basic facilities like clean drinking water, education and healthcare in all areas of the country, particularly NWFP.He was was talking to the MNAs of the ruling coalition belonging to NWFP here at his Parliament House chamber this evening.
The Prime Minister said the government is determined to taking concrete measures for poverty alleviation by increasing employment and income generation opportunities, particularly in underdeveloped areas of the country.

He said the government would give priority to infrastructure development and the provision of basic facilities. That is why, he said, despite 100-day austerity programme, development funds worth Rs. 10 million would be allocated at the discretion of every MNA, regardless of party affiliation, during the current financial year.
About the wheat and Atta shortage, the Prime Minister said the country is facing crisis because of the wrong policies of the previous government.
He said today, to facilitate availability of Atta to the people, the ban on inter-district movement of wheat and Atta has been lifted.
The Prime Minister said a meeting of the representatives of all the provinces would soon be convened to formulate a joint strategy for meeting this challenge.
He said the law-enforcement agencies have been directed to check smuggling of wheat and Atta.
The legislators from NWFP apprised the Prime Minister of various issues relating to their constituencies particularly regarding power and Atta shortage.
They also asked for the provision of natural gas, education and health facilities, for their respective areas.
They informed the Prime Minister that the people of Tribal Areas are appreciative of Prime Minister’s announcement regarding the abolition of FCR.
The MNAs, hailing from the quake-affected areas also informed the Prime Minister that various irregularities were committed in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of affected areas and people.
The Prime Minister said the matter would be probed to ensure that the whole exercise is carried out in a transparent manner and no injustice is meted out to anyone.