Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Malik Ahmad Ali has directed the Irrigation Department officers to take solid steps for stoppage of canal water theft and supply of clean drinking water and water for agricultural purposes. These directives were issued by the Minister while chairing the meeting of a committee constituted to stop water theft from Bahawalpur district.
The meeting held in the committee room of the Punjab Assembly here on Friday and attended by Saud Majeed MNA, Secretary Irrigation, Chief and Superintending Engineer Bahawalpur and other officers. The Provincial Minister also directed the Irrigation Department officers to ensure supply of clean drinking water to Cholistan area. He asked for strict action against those found involved in water stealing and said Irrigation Department officials guilty of this crime should also be dealt with an iron hand. He said that every farmer should be provided equal water so as no body could face shortage at the tail. Malik Ahmad Ali said that the provincial government had allocated Rs 28 billion for irrigation in the budget to be spent on new developmental projects ensuring supply of water to the growers for agricultural purposes.
He said agriculture relies on irrigation and attaining self-reliance in this sector without improving the irrigation system is not possible. He said provision of maximum facilities to the growers is the foremost priority of the Punjab government. Superintending Engineer Bahawalpur while briefing the meeting said that every possible step is taken to stop water pilferage and legal action will also being taken against the guilty persons.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2012
