Only 356 of the 1,097 proposals received for the $635 million islandwide beautification pro-gramme announced by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller last September, have been approved.

Donald Buchanan, minister of information made the disclosure yesterday as he gave an update on the progress of the programme at the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.

All parishes

According to Mr. Buchanan, Local Government and Environ-ment Minister, Dean Peart told the Cabinet that proposals were received from the 14 parishes.

He said that of the number of submissions received, 195 were partially selected and another 133 were being considered.

Meanwhile, Mr. Buchanan said projects approved in Ewarton, St. Catherine; Mandeville, Manchester; Black River, St. Elizabeth; East Kingston and East Central St. Andrew would commence this week.

He said already extensive work was taking place in South West St. Andrew, West Kingston and Central Kingston.

The Minister said selection of projects was done by a committee involving the Ministry of Local Government, the Tourism En-hancement Fund, the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Ministry of Housing, Transport Water and Works, among others.

Mr. Buchanan was however unable to say who chaired the committee.

"...The selection has been done by an independent body, which does not include any political figure," he pointed out.

Last September, the Prime Minister announced that the Government would be rolling out a massive six-month clean-up and beautification programme island-wide, providing employment for 12,000 people.

At the time she said, the programme would be funded by proceeds from the PetroCaribe Fund and would target public spaces, major towns and urban centres in time for Cricket World Cup 2007, set to bowl off in March.