TIMERGARA: The Lower Dir district council on Monday approved Rs5719.88 million budgetforthe currenthscalyear.

The approval was given during the council`s maiden meeting at the District Council Hall, Balambat, with naib nazim Abdul Rashid in the chair.

District nazim Haji Mohammad Rasool Khan presented the budget in the house consisting of 60 members, including women and representatives of non-Muslims.

The house was informed that Lower Dir had 14,298 government employees, whose salary cost the kitty Rs5488.468 million every year, and that the annual non-developmental expenditure (non-salary expenses) were estimated to be Rs231.31 million.

The nazim said Rs67 million was the income of the previous district government and of thatamount, Rs44.93 million would be spent on salary and other expenses of his office and staff members, while Rs22 million had been specihed for the salary and expenses of the naib nazim`s office and staff.

Addressing the council, Rasool Khan said he would ensure protection of the rights of women and minorities in the district.

He said reforms were being introduced in all departments in the district.

The nazim expressed anger at the absence of heads of government departments in the session and said the practice would not be tolerated.

District councillors Shad Nawaz Khan, Saiful Islam, Wasil Khan, Alam zeb, Saira Shams, Barakat Khan and Taza Khan also spoke on the occasion.

They said they were confused regarding their powers and mandate as the provincial government had yet to issue the rules of business of the district and tehsil councils.

Some opposition members said they would neither debate nor approve the budget until the government issued the house`s rules of business.

USE OF QUALITY MATERIAL ORDERED: Malakand division commissioner Usman Gul on Monday asked government contractors to usequality material in development projects.

He was chairing a meeting of heads of government departments at the deputy commissioner`s office in Jirga Hall, Balambat.

The commissioner said it was the responsibility of the government departments to monitor all projects in their jurisdiction and ensure their timely completion.

Deputy commissioner Irfanullah Wazir, district police officer Qasim Ali Khan, DHO Dr Mohammad Rehman, Merlin Lower Dir team leader Dr Irshad Rughani, DEO Hafiz Mohammad Ibrahim and DEO (female) Zaibun Nisa were attended the meeting.

The heads of government departments briefed the commissioner about the progress on projects being carried out by their respective departments.

The commissioner asked contractors to ensure early completion of work on the hostel for women staff members of the education department.

He also directed Pesco officials to reduce the duration of loadshedding.

The commissioner later visited the DHQ Hospital Timergara, Munda grid station and Munda hospital and examined pace of work.