ADB provides funds for union concils projects
November 29, 2008 KARACHI (PPI) - The Sindh Assembly was told on Friday that Asian Development Bank was providing funds for clean drinking water supply and laying sewerage system in over 5000 union councils across the country.
Sindh Minister Shoaib Bukhari was replying supplementary questions in the house on the behalf of Provincial Minister for Public Health Engineering, Muhammad Adil Siddiqui who did not attend the session. He said Asian Development Bank (ADB) provides funds to the federal and provincial governments who then release them to district governments for carrying out above projects.
MPA Syed Ghulam Shah Jilani asked why the provincial government does not earmark funds for starting projects in rural areas as some district governments are lacking funds. The Minister replied that Sindh government would ensure release of funds to these districts.
MPA Jam Tamachi Unnar raised objection why water supply projects are being carried out in those villages where already subsoil water is sweet. Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro also asked Minister Shoaib Bukhari why such projects are being carried out in such villages while brackish water villages need more of clean water supply projects.
Jam Tamachi said when ADB-funded clean water supply projects meet completion, no water is supplied to villages on pretext of no operation of electricity motors to run the system. On the other hand no department takes responsibility to pay electricity bills.
As a result, millions of rupees have been wasted due to wrong policies of bureaucracy and local administration. He also criticised Ministers and MPAs who ask to start clean drinking water supply projects in those villages where already subsoil water is sweet and clean.
Minister Shoaib Bukhari said we would focus on “Operation and Maintenance” system in these projects so that people could be benefited from these schemes practically.
The assembly was informed there is also scarcity of potable water in Taluka Johi consisting of Kachho area. The department has carried out complete survey of the area and PC-1 for the year 2007-08 submitted to District Government for carrying out various programmes in Taluka Johi but could not be started by the District Government due to non release of required funds. If the balance funds are released, the schemes will be completed and made functional for giving benefit to public.
The house was apprised that cost and expenditures of water supply schemes - functional, non-functional and under process in villages of Taluka Johi, District Dadu estimated Rs25.114 million. It was told that no drainage schemes were approved for District Hyderabad for fiscal year 2008-09.
Minister said the drainage scheme for Tando Muhammad Khan was completed in the year 2005 by Public Health Engineering Department, Hyderabad and handed over to TMA Tando Muhammad Khan for its regular operation and maintenance. At present, the scheme is being maintained by that TMA. The scheme comprises of three disposal works in Zone-A, B and C and the sewerage water is disposed off in oxidation ponds/treatment works constructed for Zone-A, B and C.
After treatment, the water is finally disposed off in Phulleli Canal/Scarp drain.
MPA Arif Mustaf Jatoi claimed that untreated sewage and industrial waste were being released into canals, which was very harmful to not only humans but also to animals. Jam Tamachi said untreated sewage is being released into Indus River and canals in Hyderabad.
Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro also asked Minister Shoaib Bukhari to ensure releasing of completely treated water into canals.
The Minister assured him of doing so. He said there is difference in water or sewage treatment plants. Quoting example, he said Korangi Treatment Plant is designed to treat industrial waste but plant installed in Baldia Town was not designed on these lines as there is no industry in that town.
Bukhari said Public Health Engineering Department is carrying out schemes in small cities and rural areas instead of Karachi and Hyderabad. There is requirements of huge funds to start such projects in mega cities, he added.