PESHAWAR: KP Minister for Science and Information Technology, Atif Khan Tuesday said that the department is introducing Innovation Fund to support creative ideas in setting up gemstones, medicinal plants and micro-hydel power projects on modern scientific lines and take benefit of the market.
Under the scheme, those providing new creative ideas will be paid for.
He expressed these views while presiding over a progress review meeting under new development projects initiated under the auspices of the Directorate of Science & Technology. Beside, Secretary ST&IT, Ambar Ali Khan and Managing Director (MD), KP Board of Information Technology, Ali Mahmood, Director Dr. Khalid and other concerned authorities attended the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, the Provincial Minister for ST&IT, Atif Khan said that beside increase in the provincial receipts, the proposed projects will help generate employment opportunities and autarky in environment friendly energy while scientific expertise will also be utilized in larger interest of the people.
During briefing the provincial minister was told that a fund of Rs.120.557 million has been allocated for the ongoing schemes worth Rs.394.282 million in the upcoming budget for fiscal year 2021-22.
Similarly, for the new development schemes worth Rs.800 million proposed for the upcoming financial year, an amount of Rs.50 million has been allocated while out of Rs.153.023 million, a fund of Rs.95 million has been allocated for IT projects in merged districts under Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP).
On this occasion, the provincial minister directed early completion of ongoing schemes and paper work for new development schemes within stipulated time period and expressed zero-tolerance for delay in any circumstances.