LAHORE, July 27: The Punjab government has launched a project aimed at computerizing the irrigation system for equitable distribution of water and extensive monitoring of the water use for agricultural purposes.

According to a handout, Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi was given a briefing on the pace of implementation of the project here on Wednesday.

It is pertinent to mention here that the chief minister, at the beginning of the current year, had directed to computerize the irrigation system to ensure the availability of water at tail-ends and to improve the infrastructure regarding irrigation.

The CM was told that the irrigation system had been computerized in four of the six zones in the province while the newly introduced system would be fully functional by December. The proposed project would encompass computerized record of the water transmission through 13 barrages, 24 big canals, 3,500 distributaries and 60,000 ferrules. This would, apart from the timely repair of the infrastructure, help determine the water flow in case of flood.

The computerized irrigation record would be updated on a daily basis which would completely identify the incidents of unlawful use of water. Around 15 per cent increase in agriculture produce is expected through the use of water according to the real needs.

Mr Elahi hoped that exceptional results could be obtained in the agriculture sector having fully benefited from the irrigation statistics and relevant information.

He said with the introduction of the new system, water theft would be decreased and farmers would be able to get water apportioned justly.

The chief minister directed to prepare record regarding water transmission under the new system, take all possible help from the modern means of communication, including wireless, and give facilities to the staff assigned with this task.

However, the chief minister warned that stringent action would be taken against the irrigation officers and officials, furnishing wrong statistics for their personal ends. He directed that the entry of all the record on the supply and use of water right from barrage to ferrule under the computerize system, be ensured.

He assured that the government would take further measures to ensure water supply at tail ends and to protect the farmers from the discretionary powers of government officials.—APP