BADIN, July 13: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has assured the people of the district that they will be compensated for losses they had suffered in rains and consequent floods last year.

He was speaking at a gathering on the occasion of distribution of cheques among the affected people at the Circuit House here on Tuesday. An amount of Rs5 million was distributed among 1,000 families.

Dr Rahim said Rs20 million had already been provided to the residents for repairing their houses and Rs72 million more was to be distributed. He admitted that payment of Rs5,000 each to the affected families was not sufficient to meet their actual requirements but said the government was concerned over miseries of people and would continue to provide assistance to them within its resources.

He directed authorities concerned to make the cheque distribution process fair. He warned the administration that no misuse of funds would be tolerated and if any official was found involved in misappropriation, he would be taken to task. He said it should be ensured that cheques were given to right persons.

The chief minister said his government was giving priority to improving the law and order situation and providing water to tail-end growers. He observed that sufficient water was available but lapses in the irrigation system had created shortage of water.

He said the engineer concerned would face action if he failed to supply water to tail-ends of waterways. Dr Rahim said his cabinet members would keep contact with people to know their problems and resolve the same.

Meanwhile, the chief minister held a meeting with the district administration, directed nazim and the DPO, to ensure action within three days against District Public Safety Commission chairman Dr Aziz Memon and others, who had allegedly harassed people at a cultural show held here a few weeks back.

Ashfaq Ahmad Memon had made a complaint to Dr Rahim in this regard. Our Sanghar Correspondent adds: Dr Rahim has said the food department and wheat hoarders are responsible for creating shortage of wheat.

He was talking to journalists in the Jam Nawaz Ali village on Tuesday where he had come to offer condolence to the bereaved family on the death of Jam Sher Ali, younger brother of the late Jam Sadiq Ali.

MPA Jam Madad Ali, former federal minister Jam Mashooq Ali and sons of the deceased, Jam Noor Ali and Jam Nafees, were also present. Dr Rahim observed that the shortage was artificial as wheat was available in abundance. About construction of dams, he said water reservoirs should be constructed any where in the country after consulting experts.