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KP chief minister for early completion of Takht Bhai flyover
* Directs the concerned provincial authorities to coordinate with centre in timely execution of projects * Says a citizen whether rich or poor will get timely justice in all government departments
PPI
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has instructed the National Highways Authority (NHA) to remove all kinds of hurdles and expedite work on Takhtbai railway crossing flyover. He said this is an important project and took serious notice of complaints regarding undue delay in completion of and shortcomings at certain points. The chief minister strictly asked the authorities both of the federal and provincial levels to focus full attention on early and quality completion of development schemes especially construction of highways. He also directed the concerned provincial authorities to coordinate with central departments in execution and monitoring of schemes to ensure their early and standard completion. CM Khattak was chairing a meeting about Takhtbai flyover here in the CM Secretariat, Peshawar that besides the NHA, PkHA, C&W, Railways and divisional/district administration authorities was also attended by Mardan DDAC Chairman Iftikhar Ali Mashwani and MPA Jamshed Momand. The chief minister in light of the demands of people of the area and bazaar committee, directed for erecting pillars to support the flyover instead of walls and fillings along Mardan side of the project. He asked for a change in the design and approved additional cost of Rs200 million for this purpose. He said that it would increase the cost estimates of this Rs800 million scheme to Rs1 billion. However, facilitating the public, smooth passage of traffic and accelerated completion of the project was more important than such additional funds, he added. Khattak while showing his dismay over snail pace of work on the scheme deplored that besides locals and bazaar inmates the passengers were faced with enormous problems due to slow construction process and a few minutes’ journey on the crossing expanded to hours because of hurdles. “Patients and students greatly suffer due to such a mess over there that is unacceptable to his govt at any cost,” he cautioned. It was decided on this occasion that the provincial C&W secretary along with the NHA and Railways officials would visit site of the construction to take stock of the position, mitigate grievances of the locals and speed up the process. Meanwhile various delegations - one led by MPA Iftikhar Mashwani - called on the chief minister and apprised him of the problems and issues of their respective areas. The delegations, however, appreciated the steps taken for public welfare and the agenda of change of the provincial government as well as discussed the progress made so far in this regard. Talking on this occasion, Khattak made clear that the vulnerability of poor would soon turn into their power following the candid steps taken by the PTI-led coalition government. “A citizen whether rich or poor will get timely justice in all government departments,” he said adding that change is now visible after long and hectic efforts for elimination of the scourge of corruption from public sector organisations. The chief minister urged MPAs to working for the early accomplishment of 100% goals of the agenda of change and particularly for the provision of speedy and cheap justice to the feeble segments of society. He regretted that corruption had become a hobby of the past rulers while this disease was spread in society like cancer. But, he said his government is determined to battling the war of uprooting corruption till victory. Khattak said his govt was endeavouring to make this change durable and automated with legal cover besides restoring the shattered confidence of the people in the institutions so that they can get due rights without bribing a single penny. He said besides legislation, the KP government has also made practical progress in this respect whereas working of government departments, police stations and patwarkhanas showed visible improvement. He said no patwari, police personnel or other government servant dare to demand or receive bribe from anyone. He said in past corruption, nepotism and lawlessness were rampant, saying rulers with double standards forgot their misdeeds, but people remembered all. The people, he said, were complaining that corruption and kickbacks were at peak in the past. But, today, all are acknowledging drastic change and improvement in governance and telling us as well that now government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is moving in the right direction. Khattak said that besides corruption and nepotism, the PTI-led coalition government has also abolished the politics of revenge for good. He said competent officials will continue to work with pride now while the incompetent will have to improve or be sent back homes “even if they are our blue eyed”. About legislation of the provincial government for the change of system, eradication of corruption, supremacy of merit, law and justice, and provision of better social services to the masses, he attributed the laws of Right to Information (RTI), Right to Service (RTS), Ehtesab Commission (EC), Local Government Act and Conflict of Interest (CoI) Act as his government’s milestone achievements. He said these laws would help in empowering people at grass roots level, eliminating corruption, guaranteeing transparency and providing better services to the people. “The proposed Whistle Blow Act will be a new feather in the cap of the KP government that will greatly contribute in exposing the networks of smugglers and criminal elements due to 25% reward money for the informers,” he added. The chief minister assured solution of all genuine problems of the delegations and issued on the spot directives to concerned authorities for their early redressal.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk