MITHI: Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah visited drought-hit areas of Tharparkar on Sunday to take stock of the situation and review the process of relief wheat distribution among the affected families.

Speaking at a public gathering in Chhachhro circuit house after receiving a briefing from elected representatives of the area and district administration officials, Mr Shah said that after successful completion of two rounds in the process, a third round was about to be launched. He said that a quicker delivery of relief wheat to deserving families would be ensured.

Mr Shah said that his government had devised a comprehensive and sustainable policy to bring Tharparkar at a par with other districts. Scores of uplift schemes were part of the policy, he said and added that reverse osmosis plants would be installed across the district while proper education and health facilities for the local population would be ensured.

The mega projects relating to Thar coal exploration would provide jobs to thousands of Thari youths and electrification in the district after induction of coal-powered generation plants would bring about prosperity in the entire region, he said.

In reply to a question, the chief minister said that 67 more doctors had been appointed to serve in Thar health facilities.

Tharparkar Deputy commissioner Asif Akram informed the chief minister that 126, 790 wheat bags would be provided to 253,580 families during the third round.

Around 100 more RO plants were being installed in the district to ensure provision of safe drinking water, he added.

Provincial ministers Syed Ali Mardan Shah and Dost Ali Rahemo, MNA Faqir Sher Mohammad Bilalani, MPAs Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani , Makhdoom Niamatullah, former MNA Dr Ghulam Hyder Samejo, former MPA Inayat Rahemo and Mirpurkhas Commissioner Sajid Jamal Abro accompanied the chief minister.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2014