BAHAWALPUR: The South Punjab irrigation department will form a new force to take strict measures to stop the pilferage of water.

This was stated by South Punjab Irrigation Secretary retired Capt Mushtaq Ahmed here on Wednesday.

Inaugurating his office here, the irrigation secretary said the government was already particular about complaints of canal water theft in rural areas as tail-end farmers were unable to receive water for the irrigation of their lands.

He said after the opening of South Punjab secretary’s secretariat here, numerous complaints of water theft had been received.

He said a new force would be set up to tackle this issue effectively in addition to taking action against the officials involved in water theft.

He said his department was taking effective measures to ensure canal water supply to tail ends and its fair distribution to the farming community in all the areas.

Besides, the secretary said for the recovery of Abiana and fine (Tawan), a new system would be introduced so that the government’s income under the Abiana head could be increased along with the elimination of the element of corruption, due to which the entire administrative set-up had been affected.

KILNS: As many as 275 brick kilns have so far been converted to zigzag technology in the district.

This was stated by District Officer (environment) Muhammad Rafiq Ata here on Wednesday. The meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia was held to review the situation in respect of the conversion of kiln technology across the district.

The meeting was told that the government was advancing a loan of Rs1 million [per kiln] to its owners for the conversion of technology.

The DO said [the remaining] about 100 kilns would also be converted in due course of time.

The deputy commissioner directed the officials of environment, labour and other related agencies to monitor permanently the situation of the brick kilns working in the district.

The DC also instructed to form committees at tehsil levels headed by the respective assistant commissioners to verify the conversion of kilns on zigzag technology in the district.

COVID DEATH: Station House Officer Tahir Mehmood Khawkwani died of Covid here on Wednesday.

His funeral was largely participated by police officials including DPO Faisal Kamran.

He was later laid to rest in his ancestral graveyard in Ahmedpur East.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2021