20000401

GSP proposes

Rs 243m budget

for 2000-01

RECORDER REPORT

QUETTA: The Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) is reported to have proposed a budget grant of Rs 243 million for the financial year 2000-01 so as to move gradually into a certain direction to obtain the bast possible results and utilise the optimum potential of the available manpower.

Sources said here on Friday that GSP current budget for 1999-2000 is Rs 119.12 million. Almost 90 percent of this goes to establishment charges and fixed heads, leaving a very small sum for field operation and research. In addition to GSP current budget, the nation's premier earth science research agency has also received some development allocation for specific projects such as Thar coal.

The total development fund for the current FY 99-2000 is Rs 61 million.

The GSP has also proposed to raise development allocation to Rs 282 million for 2000-01 to initiate some new and important projects.

Sources said that with enhanced allocation, GSP would undertake more earth sciences research involving 1) Geological mapping and other geoscientific surveys; 2) Exploration and appraisal of mineral, energy and water resources; and 3) Geohazards and environmental assessment of Pakistan.