TIMERGARA: The Lower DirdistrictcouncilonThursday approved Rs400 million for its annual development programme schemes.

The approval came during a meeting held here with naib nazim Abdul Rashid in the chair.

Addressing the council, nazim Rasool Khan asked the government departments to successfully execute development projects within the stipulated time.

He said of the 2016-17 annual development programme, Rs165.54 million had been allocated for ongoing schemes, Rs35.06 million for education, Rs17 million for health, Rs26 million for sports and women`s empowerment, Rs96 million for discretionary funds and Rs60.4 million for miscellaneous expenditure.

The nazim also said Rs160 million had been doled out for the completion of work on the last year`s schemes.

The council later gave approval to all proposed pro-jects.

FUNDS OKAYED: The University of Malakand on Thursday approved Rs973 million funds for its various projects.

It also gave approval to the financial package for the families of its employees, who die during service, filling of vacancies and funds for ongoing projects.

The development came during a meeting of the finance and planning committee chaired by vice-chancellor Prof Rehmat Ali.

The representatives of the finance department, higher education commission, university and other stakeholders were in attendance.

The VC asked the relevant departments to ensure proper utilisation of funds for the welfare of staff members and students.

GRID STATION: Work on the construction of Munda grid station will begin soon in the wake of the signing of an agreement between landowners and the relevant departments, said Jamaat-i-Islami MPA Izazul Mulk Afkari on Thursday.The lawmaker told reporters here in Samar Bagh area that a committee had been formed to compensate the people, whose land had been acquired for the project.

He said the government didn`t get hold of the land by force.

Samar Bagh tehsil nazim Saeed Ahmad Bacha and Munda tehsil nazim Humayun Khan were also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, a competition of kite flying, painting and calligraphy was held in Talash area of Lower Dir for schoolchildren.

The event was organised under the culture department`s Revival of Ingenious Culture and Heritage project to explore `hidden talents` of the students.

Students from all over the district participated in it.

Timergara tehsil nazim Riaz Mohammad, who was the chief guest on the occasion, urged people from all walks of life to join hands for surviving and reviving the local culture.

`It`s high time for all segments of society to get united for this great cause,` he said.