HYDERABAD, July 2: Federal Minister for Industries and Productions Liaquat Ali Khan Jatoi has assured the people that the construction of water reservoirs at Daao and Darwat of Kohistan region of Sindh to overcome the acute shortage of water in the area.

Addressing an open kutchehry at Thana Bola Khan on Tuesday evening, the minister said that the government has initiated a number of projects in order to improve the irrigation system and provide maximum benefits to agriculturists of the country.

The water scarcity is a natural disaster, however, the situation is being improved, he said, and added that construction of water reservoirs in Kohistan region would bring a green revolution in the area.

Mr Jatoi said the government is making all out efforts to address the genuine demands of the people at the earliest.

In the annual budget of 2003-2004, a huge amount has been earmarked for improvement of facilities in the health and education sectors and provision of drinking water, he added.

He called upon the people not to pay any heed towards negative propaganda of the opposition parties, who, he alleged were hatching conspiracies to sabotage the democratic process in the country.

The people should strengthen the hands of the government so that their basic demands could be overcome within the stipulated time, he added.

The government would complete its five-year term, the minister said, and added that the masses were not at all concerned with the Legal Framework Order as they wanted the redressal of their grievances and basic needs.

On the demand of the people, the minister asked the officers concerned to set up a maternity home, utility store and a technical centre in Thana Bola Khan so that the people of the area could get these facilities.

On the complaints of the people, the minister recommended to the authorities of the Hesco for suspending the executive engineer and sub-divisional officer of the area.

Mr Jatoi received complaints from the people related with the highhandedness of the police and Hesco staff as well as water tampering.—APP