RAJANPUR, Dec 15: The Punjab government will distribute 12,000 acres of land among landless peasants in the Rajanpur district while the allotment work will be completed within a week.

This was announced by Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi while speaking to a public meeting at Kot Bahaar here on Monday.

He said that an official committee would conduct the allotment of land affair while the Punjab government would provide free of cost pesticides, seed and water to the allottees during the first three years.

The chief minister also announced a special grant of Rs2.1 billion for various uplift projects in the district. He said that Rs1.5 billion had been allocated for widening Dajal Canal while Rs400 million would be spent on brick-lining of 14 canals.

At least Rs10 million had been earmarked for the construction of spur and conserving the water of hilly area while Rs100 million would be incurred on the extension and desilting of Bukhari Link Canal, he said.

The chief minister also announced the upgradation of Mapghai Middle School to high school besides Rs200 for the uplift of Rajanpur town and Rs100 million for Rojhan and Jampur tehsils.

A special grant of Rs1 million had also been announced for acquiring a four kanal land for the Rajanpur press club.

The chief minister said that he would also hold talks with the federal government for the provision of gas to the Rajanpur district.