PESHAWAR, Nov 5: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved economic stabilisation schemes valuing over Rs3.5 billion with a major chunk going to interest-free loans for jobs and self-employment opportunities.

`In a meeting, the provincial cabinet on Monday approved Rs1 billion for launching interest-free credit scheme (MASADA) and Rs2 billion for the interestfree scheme Khud Kafala,` provincial Information Minister Shah Farman told a news conference on Tuesday.

Giving details of the two lending schemes, the minister said interest-free loans of Rs10,000-Rs50,000 would be offered under MASADA.

He said some 40,000 households would benefit from the scheme.

Mr Farman said the government had planned to launch the scheme in 13 most poor districts of the province.

He said under the Rs2 billion Khud Kafala scheme, interestfree small loans would be issued to applicants wanting to start small business.

The minister said the scheme was expected to promote traditional crafts and create self-employment opportunities.

He said the cabinet also approved releasing Rs120 million for its `Youth Challenge Fund` scheme.

`The money will be extended as grant to young entrepreneurs. The successful candidates will be selected on the basis of their viable business idea/initiatives,` he said.

Mr Farman said the cabinet had also approved Rs300 million to encourage production of solar energy in an effort to promote the use of alternative energy sources.

According to him, the cabinet also approved disbursement of Rs100 million for launching an interest-free loan scheme to impart technical training to youth.

The selected youth, he said, will be imparted training of trade skills at the best technical training institutions of the country.

Their boarding/lodging and fee will be paid under the government scheme. Each trainee would be given a stipend of Rs3,000 per month under the scheme.

During the meeting, the chief minister, according to Mr Farman, also directed to establish a modern technical training institute at Peshawar.

The minister said the cabinet approved another `special` initiative of Rs100 million under which sporting facilities would be improved in high and higher secondary schools in various parts of the province.

The cabinet also decided to stick with its earlier decision of discouraging postings and transfers of teachers and to introduce legislation to put an end to the trend and reiterated its desire to introduce incentives to attract teachers to prefer their local area schools instead of trying to get transferred to their preferable places.

The minister expressed the hope the government`s decision would improve the quality of education in the public sector educational institutions and promote merit and a uniform approach.

According to Mr Farman, Rs100 million was approved to launch an education sector project under which girl students of the primary level public schools would be given stipend of Rs200 per month per female student.

`The project will initially be launched in seven districts of the province, including Hangu, Peshawar, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Shangla and Nowshera.

Besides, the cabinet also approved another education sector scheme of Rs500 million. The Introduction of Education Voucher Scheme, said the minister, was aimed at providing an opportunity to the children of poor, laborers and widows to get education `on the basis of equality.

The scheme aims at decreasing drop out ratio by improving access to education for children belonging to families falling under low income group.

The minister said the cabinet held a reviewed the health sector development projects and approved Rs1 billion for improving free emergency services in the public sector teaching hospitals.

He said the cabinet approved the establishment of an insulin bank involving a total cost of Rs25 million.

Mr Farman said another Rs3 million was approved for providing incentives for maternal health services, Rs200 million for improving immunisation services and Rs500 million for free treatment of patients of critical illness, including renal disorder, AIDS, hepatitis and cancer.