News
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
NCHD to be downsized by 50pc
* Commission granted half of Rs 874m budget demand
* NCHD Punjab director operations resigns over staff cutsBy Amjad Warraich
LAHORE: The National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) is on the path of dissolution, as its authorities have decided to cut the number of members by 50 percent from July 2008 following the federal government’s decision to reduce its annual budget. The NCHD currently has 87,000 workers of which around 45,000 face a threat of losing their jobs. According to minutes of the chairman’s budget meeting, the board has decided to sack 22,000 Feeder School Teachers, 20,000 Literacy teachers, 3,000 Literacy Co-ordinators, 105 Primary Education Co-ordinators and 146 Assistant District Programme Managers. According to the sources, around 25,000 employees have already been served one-month notices to take effect from July 1. The remaining notices will be dispatched any time during this week. Budget: The sources said that the NCHD has demanded a budget of Rs 874 million to carry on its programmes for Fiscal Year 2008-09 but the federal government has reduced the allocation for the NCHD by 50 percent. The NCHD is a brainchild of President Pervez Musharraf, headed by his close aide Dr Nasim Ashraf. It has launched several human development-related programmes with the support of international donors such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Government of Pakistan and the provincial governments. The new coalition government is however reluctant to own it. Resigns: NCHD Punjab Director Operations Col (r) Munir confirmed the news. He also confirmed his resignation in protest against the board’s decision to terminate the services of half the organisation’s employees. Sources in Islamabad however said that the board has not accepted his resignation as yet.
Courtesy Daily Times