MITHI, July 20: The elected representatives from Tharparkar have demanded an aid package for the drought-hit people of the district to enable them to cultivate crops in the rainy season.

Speaking at the Karoonjhar Hall here on Saturday, they said a prolonged period of drought had left the people penniless, therefore, they were in dire need of government help.

Sindh minister for mineral sources Mohammad Usman Malkani was also present on the occasion.

MPA Abdul Razzaq Rahimoo said it had repeatedly been brought to the notice of the government that the people of Thar deserved assistance.

He said the Sindh chief minister had announced the provision of 178,000 wheat bags for Tharis on subsidized rates, which had not been released yet.

Naib Nazim Tharparkar Ram Singh Sodho lamented the lethargy of men at food and revenue departments who, he said, had failed to provide relief to calamity-hit people on time.

He said departments took months to provide relief wheat to starved people. Mr Sodho urged the minister to remind the chief minister about the delay.

He said the government should announce a grant for this cash- starved, but resourcefully rich district. He also demanded royalty on the mineral resources of Thar.

A number of member of district council members also spoke on the occasion and demanded early provision of subsidized wheat for the region.