ECC approves Rs4bn for defence ministry to meet expenses

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet approved Rs4 billion for the Ministry of Defence to meet its expenditures, ARY News reported on Wednesday.

The approval was given during the ECC meeting chaired by Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Islamabad, said a statement.

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) allowed Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) Based fertilizer plants to operate beyond May 31 to August 31 on indigenous gas with no subsidy.

Ministry of Industries and Production submitted a summary of Urea Fertilizer requirements for the year 2023 and briefed on the urea fertilizer situation in the country.

Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination submitted a summary on the participation of Sindh’s Mangroves projects in voluntary carbon markets and presented that Sindh Forest Department is implementing two Indus Delta Mangrove projects viz Delta Blue Carbon-I(DBC-I) and Delta Blue Carbon-II (DBC-II) to generate carbon credits and trade with international entities on Voluntary Carbon Market(VCM).

The ECC after discussion approved the proposal of the Ministry that the DBC-I and DBC-II projects as these were initiated prior to the commitment made under NDCs in 2021 and these projects are expected to generate around $200 to 220 million till 2043 with additional benefits of creating green jobs.

The ECC also considered a summary of the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) on payment mechanisms and agreements with M/s Uch Power (Pvt) Limited.

ECC approved the proposals of the Ministry for a Novation Agreement, Master Agreement, and PPA amendment that would result in savings of Rs33 billion over a period of seven years.

The ECC also approved the following technical supplementary grants/supplementary grants including Rs2.5 million in favour of Ministry of Climate Change and Environment Coordination to meet its expenditures.

The ECC approved Rs263.988 million in favour of the office of Controller General of Accounts (CGA) for the implementation of online billing solutions in Federal and Provincial Accountant Generals whereas Rs497.261 million in favour of the Ministry of Housing and Works for the execution of development scheme titled “Construction of Railway underpass Gojra, district Toba Tek Singh”.

Rs420 million in favour of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to meet its budgetary shortfall for Information Services abroad while Rs10,746.216 million in favour of the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI) to procure vaccines and syringes for un-interrupted supply to the provinces.

Rs20 billion in favour of Cabinet Division for Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Programme (SAP), Rs25 million in favour of the President Secretariat for ERE expenditures, Rs208 million in favour of the Intelligence Bureau to meet its Employee Related Expenses, and Rs4000 million in favour of Ministry of Defence to meet its expenditures.