ISLAMABAD - The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved seven developmental projects costing Rs 245 billion including two major initiatives of the incumbent government like Prime Minister Youth Skill Development Programme and Premier programme for provision of Laptop to talented students.
The CDWP meeting held on Monday under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal. The CDWP has approved seven development projects costing Rs 245 billion with foreign exchange component of Rs 19 billion. Approved projects related to the energy, water resources, manpower, higher education, governance, science and technology and social welfare sectors.
An amount of Rs 2.5 billion is earmarked in PSDP/ADP 2013-14 for projects approved by CDWP.
In the energy sector Jamshoro 2×600 MW supercritical units using blends of sub bituminous coal and domestic lignite costing Rs. 220 billion, water sector 02 projects costing Rs 0.7 billion including feasibility study of Shyok Dam Multipurpose Project (Baltistan) costing Rs 0.285 billion and rehabilitation of SCARP Tube Well and Drainage System of LBOD Shaheed Benazirabad (Nawabshah) costing Rs 319 million.
Meanwhile, the CDWP meeting has approved Prime Minister Youth Skill Development Programme and Prime Minister programme for provision of Laptop to talented students costing Rs. 800 million and Rs. 23.5 billion respectively were approved / recommended by CDWP. Under this scheme, annually 150,000 laptops will be distributed to the students of public sector universities securing over 60pc marks. The cost of the project is Rs. 23.5 billion. The scheme will be continued for at least 05 years. Under Youth Skill Development Programme, project costing Rs. 800 million has been approved by the CDWP. The programme will cover market oriented 100 trades. 35pc of which will be awarded to girls’ students.
Other projects approved by CDWP include Capacity Building of Government Officers for Promotion of Social Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Distt. Haripur/KPK. The project is being financed through JICA grant in aid. Development Communication project costing Rs 625 million was also approved by CDWP. The project aims at introducing a new development culture in Pakistan, which will ensure sustainability, larger communication participation, enhanced interactive dialogue among stakeholders and ownership of development plans, programmes and projects.  A two way development communication will be the hallmark of activity. A network of communication will be created taking the people, development experts, planners, media and civil society at large on board. Development Communication will generate awareness, mobilisation sensitisation, participation and ownership as principal targets.
The meeting was attended by the sponsoring agencies and the representatives from Provincial Governments and Special Areas.