ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Maritimes Affairs has requested the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) to approve a Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) of Rs190 million for the survey of coastal areas.
Earlier in July 2020, the prime minister had directed the maritime affairs ministry to submit a summary to the ECC for approval of TSG for the survey of coastal areas. In addition, the PM had also constituted an Anti-smuggling Steering Committee (ASSC), under the co-convenorship of the interior and maritime affairs ministers.
Meanwhile, PM Imran had approved in-principle a proposal of the Pakistan Army to assist the Ministry of Maritime Affairs in survey of coastal areas. He had directed the officials concerned to work out the details, in consultation with respective stakeholders, and send separate summaries to the PM’s Office to determine the cost of coastal area survey.
It may be noted that the Finance Division had already allocated an amount of Rs1,157 million to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs for the financial year 2020-21 — this does not include the cost of ‘hydrographic survey’ amounting to Rs190.47 million. The budgetary amount had been distributed among all units of this ministry as per their approved budget ceiling.
Accordingly, the Finance Division was requested to allocate the requisite funds over and above the budget estimate 2020-21, as the Ministry of Maritime Affairs had no extra funds to finance the survey of the coastal areas.
Subsequently, the Finance Division informed that the request for allocation of additional funds was being considered “but the same cannot be processed at this belated stage since the budgetary process for allocation of funds has already been completed and approved by the National Assembly”.
Considering the strategic significance being accorded to the survey of coastal areas as a vital component of the anti-smuggling directives, a summary was moved on 18th Sept, requesting the PM to direct the Finance Division release Rs190.47 million in favour of Maritime Affairs Division for its onward transmission to the Ministry of Defence.
Sources said that a special ECC meeting would be held on Wednesday (tomorrow) under the chairmanship of Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Hafeez Shaikh to consider this summary apart from four other items.
National Institute of Oceanography may also be part of the survey as they have all the requisite equipment and qualifications.