BADIN, Aug 18: Federal Industries and Production Minister Liaquat Ali Khan Jatoi has said the matter of the Left Bank Outfall Drain will be taken up with the Wapda authorities if heavy monsoon rains are predicted after every three to four years in future.

Talking to journalists during his visit of Badin on Sunday, he said the issue needed to be resolved on permanent basis to avoid such devastation.

Mr Jatoi said the recent rains and the consequent floods had wreaked havoc in Badin and Thatta districts.

He gave an assurance that all possible help would be extended to rehabilitate the affected people and repair the damaged roads and buildings.

He said canals and drains would be desilted and their embankments would be strengthened to avoid future breaches and floods.

Mr Jatoi was accompanied by former Sindh minister Mohammad Ismail Rahu, MPA Ali Bux Shah and Pakistan Muslim League-Q leader Zahid Hussain Khwaja.

Later, the minister was apprised by Ahmad Khan Bhurgari, Syed Zafar Shah and other sugarcane growers about non-payment of their quality premium by mill managements.

They said they were not paid their premium since 1998.

The minister assured the growers that the payment of dues to them would be ensured.

He said problems of sugar mills would also be resolved and he had already granted permission for export of 100,000 tons of sugar.

He said he would arrange a meeting between sugar mill owners and the Sindh chief minister if mill owners did not pay premium to growers. Export permits to mill owners might also be delayed if the growers were not paid the amount, he added.

Answering a question, Mr Jatoi said his ministry would participate in the relief work and rehabilitation of people after the survey was completed.

He said the Pak Suzuki had provided Rs1 million for rain victims of Badin.

Sugarcane grower Zafar Ali Shah said Rs4 billion was outstanding against mills on account of premium.

He said the rains had badly damaged their crops and demanded the payment of premium to growers.

He said they had called a meeting of agricultural associations for Monday for taking action against mill owners.

He warned that they would take to the streets if mill owners further delayed the payment.