Provincial Minister for Irrigation, Mian Yawar Zaman, has said that farmer-friendly changes will be brought in Irrigation Department in accordance with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. He said that transparency in the irrigation projects and process of distribution of water will be ensured.
Immediate steps would be taken for the solution of important problems pertaining to Irrigation Department for the rapid development of the province, besides all possible resources will be provided for the improvement, rehabilitation and uplift of irrigation system, he added. Mian Yawar Zaman said that effective steps would be taken for checking of canal water theft so that availability of equitable water could be ensured to the cultivators for their crops throughout the province.
The minister said the government will make effective legislation for checking water theft. Mian Yawar said, at present, shortage of water is our main problem. He said that construction of new dams is very essential for substantial water for the crops in order to meet food requirement of population. He said that construction of new dams would not only result in availability of water but overcome energy crisis by generating hydel power.
He expressed these views while addressing officers of the Irrigation department after getting briefing given by Secretary Irrigation Captain Zahid Saeed (Retd) at Irrigation Secretariat.
Consultant Irrigation Department Mahmood-ul-Hassan Siddiqui, Additional Secretary Saleem Malik, Khalid Qureshi Chief Monitoring Habib Bodla and other senior officers were present on the occasion.