RAHIM YAR KHAN, Aug 11: Some 80,000 acres worth Rs16 billion are being allotted to the poor and needy farmers in Punjab and 1,700 acres in Rahim Yar Khan district for the benefit of 1,150 families.

Speaking at a public meeting here on Thursday, Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi directed the district coordination officer to award ownership rights to the people on merit through the MNA and the MPA.

He said the agricultural bank would not recover loans from the farmers of flood-hit areas for one year. He said compensation cheques would also be issued soon to the flood-affected people.

The chief minister said land laser levellers would be provided at the district council level from Aug 31.

He said reforms would be introduced in education and health departments, and hospitals upgraded in each tehsil. The government would start water supply schemes in 21 tehsils, including four of Rahim Yar Khan.

The chief minister said Sardar Rafiq Haider Leghari was a party candidate for the seat of district nazim.

On the occasion, former MPA Khwaja Asghar Koraeja joined the PML.

Earlier, Pervaiz Elahi inaugurated the Shaikh Khalifa Education Complex near Chak 55-P and a sewerage scheme in Katchi Abadi in Chak 53-P.