Every dam project has its supporters and critics, the former outnumbering the latter.

The critics must not be ridiculed or threatened for they stand to lose the land holdings that have sustained them for generations. Cash compensation and alternative land far away is not compensation enough for disruption to their lives.

Their protest should be viewed with compassion and not as treason. It is but human to protest, especially when their compensation in cash or settlement in alien surroundings can never make up for the disruption of their lives.

My intention in writing this note is not to criticise the dam project but to show understanding for those who could be driven out of their ancestral homes and lands.

Kunwar Idris
Karachi

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FROM Prime Minister Imran Khan to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, many responsible people are appealing to the nation to donate as much as they can for the construction of Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand dams.

I would like to share an anecdote which will not only open their eyes, but that of the State Bank.

A few years ago, I sent my office colleague with Rs120,000 in cash to deposit in the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s bank account as yearly payment for the generator installation outside our office. We pay this amount yearly to the KMC.

When my colleague reached the bank for deposit, the bank manager was luckily standing near the bank entrance who asked my colleague the purpose of his visit. My colleague showed him the cash deposit slip.

Looking at the deposit slip, the bank manager advised him to get a pay order made in the KMC’s name instead of depositing cash. The manager told him that the cash deposit would not go in the KMC account as the cashier in his branch had a strong political affiliation and would pocket all the money after giving my colleague a bank stamped cash deposit slip!

In the light of the above, the government should direct the donors to deposit contributions through crossed cheques or pay orders instead of cash. The State Bank can order banks to waive pay order charges for the dam construction fund in this respect.

This is meant to protect and safeguard the people’s efforts in a nation-building exercise.

M. Rafique Zakaria
Karachi

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2018