In order to impart irreversibility and velocity to devolution, District and Town/Taluka Governments were disbursed an amount of Rs. 559.4 million as a direct budgetary support, under Sindh Devolved Social Services Program (SDSSP), to improve the critical social indicators in health, education and water & sanitation sectors. Occasion was graced by Senior Minister Finance who not only distributed Release Orders to various eligible local governments but also provided useful insight into utilization of proceeds available under the Programme. He underscored the importance of expending loan resources with utmost integrity and efficiency and need for maintaining a focus on outcomes.

While giving a brief rundown on the Devolved Social Services Programme he informed that the overall goal of the DSSP is to improve people’s education, health and access to water and sanitation and thus helps reduce poverty and gender imbalances. Dwelling on the financing structure he informed that US$ 67 million, from the US$ 100 million tranche, were utilized for the retirement of four most expensive loans amounting to Rs. 4.2 billion thus saving Rs. 686 million in the FY 2004-05 on account of interest payment.

Asian Development Bank was represented by Samia Abbas referred to devolution as an excellent window of opportunity in brining about substantial reforms in social sectors. Taluka Nazim Dadu Engr. Zafar Ali Shah expressed hope in the success of Programme. He was however very critical of the way in which allocation in Public Health Engineering is being intercepted by Nazims and being diverted to Districts Support Units which in turn are directly managed by Local Government Department thereby creating a situation in direct contradiction with spirit of devolution.

Towards the end of ceremony Senior Minister solicited informal comments from Senior Economists and other Senior Professionals of Sindh Government for the benefit of local government representatives