ISLAMABAD - The Senate Standing Committee on Education has expressed concerns over the vacant portfolio of education ministry and urged the government to assign the responsibility to some one so that the education policy could be finalised and all other issues could be resolved in an amicable manner. The Senate Standing Committee on Education met at the Parliament House with Senator Razina Alam Khan in the chair and discussed in detail the overall budgetary position of the ministry and the utilization of the budget allocated current financial year and the proposed allocations for 2008-09. It has deplored the fact that budget allocation for the fourth quarter for both the Higher Education Commission and the Ministry of Education has not been released and apprehended that such a dismal state of affairs would affect the quality of education and would affect the projects. It called upon the Finance Division to take appropriate steps in this regard and immediately release the funds to enable the HEC and the ministry to complete its ongoing projects. Members of the committee were of the view that education holds key to the socio economic prosperity of the country and therefore no delays should be made while releasing funds. It was observed that 4% of the GDP should be allocated for the education and serious attention should be given to the areas, which are lagging behind. The committee underlined the need for more comprehensive policies in the education sector to equip our children with most modern skills, which may enable them to contribute to the development of the society in a positive manner. Some Members of the Committee were of the view that political will is required to give boost to the education sector and save the future of our generations. Earlier, the Secretary Ministry of Education informed the Committee about the comparative analysis of the PSDP allocations during this last three years and said that the allocations have increased over the years. While stating reasons for the shortfall in expenditure, the Secretary said that the Finance Division does not allow release of funds without ensuring that conditions approved for funding have been complied with like utilisation report of previous releases. He said that Rs. 935.231 million could not be released for 12 projects during 3rd quarter, as they were unable to utilise funds released earlier. Independent project director is not appointed despite instructions of ECNEC for mega projects, particularly in Balochistan, the Secretary added. He informed that five cadet colleges and three polytechnic institutes are delayed due to law and order situation in Balochistan. He said that Rs 13188.2 million were demanded for the year 2008-09 to complete 135 projects whereas the priorities committee has recommended only Rs 5,000.6 million and there is shortfall of Rs 8187.6 million, which would affect the development work on the projects. He sought the help of the committee to overcome the shortfall and remove the bottleneck in the way of smooth development of the projects.