FAISALABAD, Jan 23: Efforts of government officials to save the Japanese aid of Rs3.5 billion have so far proved fruitless due to Chiniotis’ refusal to allow Wasa authorities to conduct a survey for the installation of tubewells.

A meeting held here on Thursday and presided over by provincial housing minister Mohammad Raza Ali failed to reach a decision about the installation of tubewells in Methro and Rasheeda villages of Chiniot to supply sweet water to the citizens of Faisalabad. The meeting was attended by members of national and provincial assemblies, district Nazimeen of Faisalabad and Jhang, Chiniot tehsil Nazim, secretary housing, district coordination officers and representatives of farmers and people of Chiniot.

Representatives of the Chiniotis, refusing to accept the proposals of the government team, said the level of subsoil water had already declined to an alarming extent due to the fact that the water had been pumped out by 28 tubewells installed by Wasa. The installation of more tubewells on the bed of river Chenab would be another blow to the soil and agricultural farms of the area.

They said the farming community had been facing financial losses and difficulties due to excessive pumping of water by Wasa through tubewells. They said prior to the installation of tubewells, the farmers were able to find water for handpumps just 25 to 30 feet below the ground level and for tubewells at 60 feet. But now they are left with no option, but to bore almost three times more for pumping out the water.

They proposed that Wasa authorities and government highups should select some alternative sites around other parts of Faisalabad to complete the water supply project. The Chiniot Tehsil Municipal Administration refused to issue a no objection certificate till the resolution of demands of the people of Chiniot.

The Wasa managing director assured the elected representatives that there would be no dangerous decline in water level in the area after the installation of tubewells. The meeting ended without any decision.

However, the provincial minister directed Wasa officials to study alternative proposals of the people of Chiniot so that a grant of Rs3.5 billion could be utilized for a public welfare project.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency had approved the grant for a mega water supply project for the citizens of Faisalabad. A joint team of JICA and Wasa experts started work on the project after selecting sites in Rasheeda and Methro in Chiniot tehsil for installing tubewells. But the project is still in doldrums due to protest and threats of people of Chiniot.

According to Wasa officials, at present only 56 million gallons of water are being supplied daily to the citizens against the demand of 170 million gallons by installing 28 tubewells at the Rakh Branch Canal. There was a dire need to implement this project otherwise the Pakistan government would face a serious setback in the shape of suspension of aid, they apprehended.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued here on Thursday, the minister said the dispute on the installation of tubewells would be resolved with mutual understanding and discretions of the Chiniotis.

At a meeting held with representatives of the people of Chiniot, the minister said efforts would be made to save the grant and the rights of the people of Chiniot through a feasible plan.

He assured the people of Chiniot that their meetings would be arranged with the Japanese experts so that a possible plan could be implemented. He urged the residents of Chiniot and their representatives to allow the experts for conducting a survey of the area so that they could check the subsoil water level.