LAHORE, Oct 29: The Punjab irrigation, minerals and mines departments will conduct joint surveys of canals for excavation of sand during annual closures.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting presided over by Irrigation Minister Aamir Sultan Cheema. Mines and Miners Minister Sibtain Khan also attended the meeting called by the irrigation minister to resolve the issue of excavation of sand from the canals.

The minerals department was of the view that ordinary sand, found in canal beds, included in the definition of minerals. The leases for the sand excavation were granted to private parties through open auction normally for a period of two years.

The irrigation department and its subordinate offices had often opposed the grant of leases on the grounds that sand excavation caused severe damage to canal system.