Planning Division’s Young Development Fellow (YDF) Programme has failed to achieve its goals, it was learnt.
On anonymity, sources informed Pakistan Today that YDF has failed to some extent to meet its objectives as it could achieve only 44 per cent of its goals during the last two years. They said the activity (YDF) being done was not relevant to the function of the ministry so responsibility of the failure should be fixed.
“Irrelevant activities through development project named as Young Development Fellow Programme cost Rs 261.580 million to the national exchequer,” said the sources. “The activity started was not relevant to the function of the ministry as per rules of business of the federal government,” sources said.
“The progress shows that acceptance to the YDF was very lower as a large number of them resigned before the one year and thus the project failed to achieve its objectives.” The sources also said that a similar activity of internship scheme was being executed by the inter-provincial coordination division therefore, it was a duplication of work.
They said auditor general of Pakistan has conveyed its objections to the Planning Ministry. And, hopefully next DAC (departmental audit committee) will take up the matter. This programme (YDF) was initiated to take top minds of the country in variety of fields and use their talent for better long term planning and also train these young brains to become future leaders of Pakistan.
However, this programme is being considered politically driven as sons and daughters of influential people were hired. As per PC-1, 40 young development fellow students were to be selected from all over the country for one year for learning assignments who were to be paid Rs 60,000 per month. The project started its activity on September 6, 2013 and incurred the expenditure Rs 18.054 million and Rs 13.619 million during 2014-15 & 2015-16.
Ministry of Planning Development & Reforms got approved a development project “Young Development Fellow Programme” at a cost of Rs 261.580 million on September 6, 2013. The completion period of project was 60 months. According to progress of the project, 40 YDF were selected in 2013-14 & 2014-15 while 32 joined and 13 completed assignments as 19 resigned from the YDF. Similarly, 40 YDF selected during 2015-16 while 34 joined and 22 YDF completed assignment as 12 resigned.
Sources said it was earlier decided that the YDF internees would work with desk officers of the Ministry of Planning. However, the plan did not materialise and the 40 YDF internees were mostly deputed with high officials of the ministry, and majority was not even coming to the ministry.
Objectives of the YDF programme include enhanced capacity of young Pakistanis in the area of relevant to Planning Commission i.e. development, strategic planning, performance management and evaluation, project management appraisal and public policy formation. Similarly, provide a holistic learning experience which will open minds and broaden perspectives besides nurture creativity, collaboration, empathy and adaptability.
Likewise, train essential skills needed for research, problem solving, communication and management which will help transform idea into action. Spark new ideas and create opportunities for personal and professional growth for the YDF under the guidance of experienced officers of Planning Commission.
