'Rs28.35b allocated for construction of large dams during 2006-07'

ISLAMABAD, September 01 (Online): The National Assembly was told on Friday that Rs. 28.35 billion has been allocated for the construction of large dams in the year 2006-07. Federal Water and Power Minister Liaquat Jatoi in written informed National Assembly that the allocation includes Rs. 3 billion for Gomal Zam Dam, Rs. 2.70 million for Kurram Tangi Dam, Rs. 750 million for Mirani Dam, Rs. 300 million for Sabakzai Dam, Rs. 100 million for Nai Gaj Dam and Rs. 11 billion for raising Mangla Dam.Besides, Rs. 500 million have been allocated for preliminary work of Diamer Basha Dam and Rs. 10 billion for land acquisition of Hydel projects, he further said.
Answer to a question, Federal Water and Power Minister Liaquat Jatoi told lower house that 9,476 villages including 4896 villages of Punjab, 1455 of Sindh, 2197 of NWFP and 919 of Balochistan were electrified with total cost of Rs. 4.8 billion during 2004-05.
The Minister while answering a question further said that at present 7 Federal Hydel Power Projects are under construction in the country
while Private Power Infrastructure Board has advertised 14 Hydel projects. The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) are working on Satpara Dam, Khan Knawar H/P, Allai Khwar, Gomal Zam Dam, Jinnah Hydropower
Project, Duber Khwar H/P and Kurram Tangi Dam projects, he added. Federal Power and Water Minister further said that 5,955 persons were recruited in electricity distribution companies of WAPDA during 2005-06. Minister Incharge of the Cabinet Division during question hours told National Assembly that various channels, which were airing objectionable content wee off raided.
Answer to a query, Federal Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas  Pakistanis Ghulam Sarwar Khan told lower house that separate housing schemes would not be launched for Overseas Pakistanis. He further said that the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz declared housing
schemes were redundant because overseas Pakistani are participating in all housing schemes and other economic activities in Pakistan.