MIRPURKHAS, March 3: Ban on the use of parabolic cemented structure has affected progress on the lining of watercourses in the district, according to a survey conducted by Dawn.

Under the National Programme for Improvement of Watercourses, Mirpurkhas district acquired third position in achieving the target of lining of watercourses in 2006-07 in Sindh mainly due to use of parabolic cemented structure.

In the year 2007-08, a target of lining of 200 watercourses was fixed for the district but the higher authorities banned the use of parabolic structure and instead sought the use of bricks for this purpose.

In the first six months, officials of the programme remained disturbed due to high rate of bricks caused by their shortage after heavy rains and closure of most of brick kilns.

During that period, bricks were sold at the rate of Rs3,000 per 1,000 bricks in the market but the government provided Rs1,800 for 1,000 bricks. As the farmers were not ready to bear the burden of increased prices, the rate of bricks was officially increased but only to Rs2,000 for 1,000 bricks.

EDO agriculture Ghulamullah Jarwar said that so far lining of 50 watercourses had been completed and work on 150 others was under process.