HYDERABAD, Jan 8: Federal Water and Power Minister Liaquat Ali Jatoi has denied reports that the telemetry system installed on various water projects had developed faults and it was not giving correct reading of water flows.

Speaking at a news conference here on Saturday, he said the telemetry system was in perfect order.

He said Ecnec had recently approved Rs110 billion for augmentation, repair and maintenance of the power network, out of which, Hesco would be provided Rs12 billion.

He said to achieve the target new transformers and power lines were being installed. He said power supply from Hubco to Karachi, which was being routed through Jamshoro, would be directly connected with the KESC and would be increased from 500mw to 1,000mw. He hoped that this would resolve the load-shedding problem of the city.

Mr Jatoi said huge investment was being made in the Thar coal project which would generate 1,000mw. He said the project would provide jobs to local people.

He said 14 new grid stations were being set up in Sindh.

About water projects, he said the Nai Gag dam in Dadu would be completed by 2006 which would supply water to people of the mountainous area and thousands of acres of land would be brought under the plough. He said the Gorakh hill project would also provide employment opportunities to people of the region.

He dispelled the impression that privatization of Wapda would jeopardize interests of employees. He said contrary to this, workers would get more benefits in the shape of allowances and bonus. Not only this, he further said, children of employees would also be given employment and workers would be provided with housing facilities. He gave an assurance that there would be no large-scale retrenchment of employees.

He supported the Sindh chief minister's decision to create new districts.

Quoting the example of Dadu, he observed that some parts of the district were 350 kilometres away from Dadu and with creation of the Jamshoro district, problems of the people of remote areas would be resolved at there doorsteps.