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MIRPURKHAS, Aug 1: Sindh Agriculture Minister Arif Jatoi said on Thursday that relief would be provided to the affected people after the completion of the ongoing survey to assess loss of crops and properties in the province.
Talking to newsmen at the circuit house, he said he was visiting the area to examine the loss of crops and ensure that the survey was conducted correctly so that no one was deprived of assistance.
Earlier, the minister was informed about the devastation of standing crops in the district by representatives of Abadgars’ associations, including Dr Yar Mohammad Janjhi, Anwar Gondhal and Mukhtar Ahmed.
They said the entire district had been badly affected by heavy rainfall and thousands of villagers needed help.
NAZIM: District Nazim Pir Shafqat Hussain Shah Jilani on Thursday called upon the Sindh government to declare the district as calamity-affected area and suspend recovery of revenue taxes and agricultural loans in view of the devastation caused by the downpour.
Talking to Dawn, he said crops had been damaged and people forced to live under the open sky or in relief camps.
He said the district was declared calamity-hit area in the past due to drought.
He said the agriculture sector had been badly hit as three to four feet rainwater had submerged the fields.
He expressed fear about outbreak of epidemics due to the standing water.
He said the district government had demanded Rs50 million from the government but so far only Rs5 million had been sanctioned.
Mirpurkhas Taluka Nazim Syed Inayat Ali Shah, speaking at a press conference, said the committee conducting the survey to assess loss of lives and property in the city would submit its report by Aug 4.
He said people had yet to submit applications regarding losses.
He said an emergency centre had been set up for emergency relief to people during rainfall.
