HYDERABAD, May 14: Federal Minister for Industry and Production Liaquat Ali Jatoi has said that education is essential to get rid of many problems.

Speaking as a chief guest at the passing out parade of 98- batch of students of the Cadet College Petaro on Tuesday, he said the government was giving a top priority to education and taking all possible steps to enhance the literacy rate.

Mr Jatoi said that it was necessary not only to impart formal education but also vocational training to the manpower to keep pace with the developed world.

The minister said that the present government was making all out efforts to strengthen educational institutions, including the Cadet College Petaro.

Responding to the problems raised by the principal of the college in his welcome address, the minister promised that he will take up all the issues with the Sindh government.

Mr Jatoi announced a grant of Rs5 million and an air- conditioned bus for the college on behalf of Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali.

In his welcome address, the principal of the college, Commodore Mohammad Abid Saleem, said the Sindh government had cut the grant in aid to the college as a result of which the administration has been forced to increase the fees.

Earlier, the federal minister gave away prizes to the cadets for their outstanding performance in curricular and extra- curricular activities.

The function was largely attended by the parents, officials and the elite of Hyderabad and Dadu district.

wasa: Managing Director, Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), HDA, Tahir Ahmed has warned consumers with illegal water connections to get regularized latest by May 20.

He directed the taxation officials to launch an effective recovery campaign with effect from May 16.

The vigilance teams have been directed to disconnect water supply of the defaulters.

The department also decided to recover the arrears in four instalments for the month of April.