LAHORE, March 3: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi announced on Wednesday relief in water rate to the farmers at the tail ends of canals, directing the irrigation department to furnish recommendations within a week.
He was presiding over a meeting during which development projects of around 12 departments were reviewed. The chief minister said the decision had been taken to provide relief to the farmers who received less irrigation water. He directed the irrigation department to ensure substantial concession to such farmers.
He said the irrigation system in the province would be improved on modern lines. Though the system was the best in the world, it was urgently required to apply modern research in bringing about revolutionary changes in it, he added.
The chief minister felt that with the improvement in the irrigation system it would be made possible to supply water to the tail ends of canals. All development projects would be designed in the best interest of the people and no delay in their approval would be tolerated.
He said projects for the repair of existing barrages, bridges and headworks in the province have been prepared and with their completion the flow of water would increase to at least 5,000 cusecs.
The chief minister said small dams were being constructed in the rain-fed areas. Five such dams had already been constructed in Attock and other areas. He directed the officials concerned to initiate projects regarding the provision of infrastructure and construction of roads in different districts in the province.
Abundant resources were being allocated for mega development projects and the world monetary institutions were also cooperating with the government, he said.
The chief minister ordered construction of an underpass in Rawalpindi and said overhead bridges would be built at Mozang Chungi and Kalma Chowk in Lahore to ensure smooth flow of traffic.
He said a modern traffic management system would be introduced in Lahore and other big cities in consultation with foreign experts. The chief minister directed the livestock department officials to promote the sector on priority basis as it could directly play a role in combating poverty in the province.He said modern facilities would be provided to the TEVTA institutions, 321 polytechnic and commercial training institutions.
