CM decides to conduct scientific survey to assess poverty in Sindh

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has decided to conduct a scientific survey to measure poverty ratio in the province so that it could be addressed accordingly.

He took this decision on Monday while presiding over a meeting on development programme here at the CM House.

The meeting was attended by Chairman Planning & Development (P&D) Department Mohammad Waseem, Principal Secretary to CM Sohail Rajput, Secretary Finance Dr Noor Alam, Fatah Tunio of P&D, Additional Secretary CM Secretariat Fayaz Jatoi and others.

Murad Ali Shah said that his government was working on poverty reduction by launching different projects and schemes but even then there should be a scientific method to measure the poverty ratio and level in the province.

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Quoting definition of poverty, he said that it is a condition characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information.

“It depends not only on income but also on access to services,” Murad Shah said and added that that’s why he wanted to conduct a scientific study or survey to measure poverty ratio persisting in the province. “This will help to address the real issues to improve overall life,” he said.

The CM directed the chairman P&D to work out a detailed chart or yardstick to measure poverty in the province.

Mohammad Waseem said that the Bureau of Statistics was competent enough to conduct the survey. He said that he would work out a chart and get it approved by the chief minister to start the survey allover Sindh.

Murad Shah also said that he had a plan to beautify each and every district and taluka headquarters in the first phase and villages in the second phase.

“The beautification plan includes removal of encroachment, improvement or reconstruction of roads, construction of proper drainage system, provision of clean water schemes and improved health services. As far as education is concerned a separate programme for provision of missing facilities was in progress,” he said.

He also directed the chairman P&D to start work on 2019-20 ADP from next month.

“I want to start new development schemes in districts which preferably can be completed within a year,” he said and added that he would declare some model villages where all facilities would be provided.

On the instructions of the chief minister a team led by the DG P&D was constituted to check quality of development works and to ensure their timely completion.