APP – The government has released around Rs 445.599 million for execution of different exploratory projects of the Petroleum and Natural Resources Division under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP 2017-18) during nine months of the current fiscal year.

Funds amounting to Rs 554.297 million had been allocated for six major exploratory projects, out of which, Rs 445.599 million have been disbursed till March 16.

According to the official data, the government had released 100 percent allocation of Rs 415.807 million for acquisition of four drilling rigs with accessories for Geological Survey of Pakistan.

While, Rs 15.191 have been provided for appraisal of newly discovered coal resources of Badin Coal Field and its adjoining areas of Southern Sindh, against the allocation of Rs 37.977 million.

Similarly, Rs 3.596 have been released for exploration of evaluation of metallic minerals in Bela and Uthal areas, district Lasbella, Balochistan, against allocation of Rs Rs 8.992 million.

The government had reserved Rs 3.492 million for exploration of Tertiary Coal in Central Salt Range of Punjab, out of which Rs 1.396 have so far been released.

Whereas, Rs 24.023 had been kept for exploration and evaluation of coal in Nosham and Bahlol areas of Balochistan, out of which Rs 9.609 have been released.

However, no funds have so far been released for underground water survey in Quetta, for which Rs 64 million had been allocated.