ISLAMABAD: The government has released over Rs 3,229.643 million for the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) till June 16 against the total allocation of Rs 4249.043 million during the fiscal year 2016-17. According to official data, Rs 415.8 million have been released for acquisition of four drilling rigs with accessories for the Geological Survey of Pakistan. While, funds amounting to Rs 131.6 million have been provided for appraisal of newly discovered coal resources of Badin Coal Field and its adjoining areas of Southern Sindh.
Moreover, Rs 20 million have been released to explore and evaluate metallic minerals in Bela and Uthal areas, district Lasbella of Balochistan. The government provided Rs 11.3 million for exploration of tertiary coal in the Central Salt Range, Punjab, besides releasing over Rs 2,059 million funds for supply of gas to various villages and localities.
An amount of Rs 332.2 million have been given for provision of sui gas to three localities of District Mansehra, Rs 656.7 million for various villages of district Thatta and Sajawal, Rs 170.6 million for various villages of district Sheikhupura, Rs532.7 million villages of Hafizabad, Rs 369 million for District Okara villages, Rs 163.8 million for district Mardan, Rs 25.6 million for villages of district Attock and Rs 400 million for gas supply to several villages of Sialkot.Whereas, no funds could be released against Rs 1,013 million allocation made for provision of gas to various localities of districts Sargodha and Kahuta.
