PC confronts PAEC for underutilising funds

* Only 30 percent of the funds allocated for ChashNuPP-2 used

By Khalid Mustafa

ISLAMABAD: The Planning Commission confronted the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) for its failure to utilise half of the Public Sector Development Plan (PSDP) allocation for the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant-2 (ChashNuPP-2) project during the first six months of the current financial year, as it has only utilised 30 percent of the PSDP funds.

The commission fears that the important project might be delayed because the funds had not been utilised, a source told Daily Times. The PAEC has utilised about Rs 186.1 million out of the total Rs 588.55 million from July 1, 2004, to December 2004.

The source said utilisation was slow during PAEC’s current projects, whereas 75 percent of the funds for science and technology and 80 percent funds for the health sector have been utilised, sources said.

“A midyear review of the projects was held at the Planning Commission where funds utilisation by various ministries was discussed,” sources said.

In the power sector, the PAEC is working on four projects: the Chashma Nuclear Power Project, C2, Nuclear Mineral Survey Scheme (Phase V), which includes Exploration of Uranium (Phase-VII) in Dera Ghazi Khan, and the research and development of fuel cells. The total allocation for these four projects in PSDP 2004-05 was Rs 3.408 billion, out of which Rs 588.550 million was released from July to December 2004.

For the remaining three projects, the utilisation was up to the mark, though in the Chashma Nuclear Power Project-C2, the major chunk of Rs 525 million was released of which Rs 122.550 million was utilised.

In science and technology, five projects are underway and the funds utilisation is satisfactory. About Rs 204.204 million was released of which Rs 165.305 million was used.

Four health sector projects are underway and Rs 159.5 million has been used out of the Rs 189 million which was released.

Five new projects are being implemented by the PAEC: the upgrading of the National Institute of Bio-Technology and Genetic Engineering in Faisalabad, upgrading of the Atomic Energy Medical Centre Karachi, repairing and maintenance at the Centre for Nuclear Medicine in Lahore, the upgrading of the Nuclear Institute of Medicine & Radiotherapy in Jamshoro, and the upgrading of the Multan Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy.

About Rs 942.855 million were released for these projects of which Rs 510.905 million was used.

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