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JHANG, Jan 24: Erosion on the right bank of river Jhelum near the Trimmu Headworks has wiped out two localities, besides eroding several acres of fertile farmland and is posing serious threat to many other villages along the river. The erosion has also caused serious damage to the standing wheat crop which has been washed away by the water at many places. Most of the damage is done to Basti Sidha and Jotianwali near 18 Hazari. Both these localities are completely inundated and their inhabitants have been living in tents for the last one month in severe cold.
The cattle in the affected localities have started dying due to intense cold and starvation as the fodder crop has also been destroyed.
A large scale destruction of farmland has also been reported from Umrana Janobi and Basti Sangha villages. Vast tracts of fertile farmland in these villages are awash with water while reports of erosion to more land are being received from this area.
Residents of the affected areas apprehend the outbreak of epidemic if immediate remedial measures are not taken by the health department.
They have urged the district and Punjab governments to take drastic measures to stem the erosion and provide them shelter and food and fodder to their livestock.
Requesting anonymity, a source in the irrigation department said the erosion had been caused by opening of the spill way of the headworks for the purpose of annual repairs and desilting which increased the water flow along the right bank.
INQUIRY: The Jhang DCO has ordered an inquiry into the alleged issuance of fake appointment letters to several candidates without holding any test or interview by the Livestock Department.
EDO (Agriculture) Chaudhry Nazir Ahmad, deputed as the inquiry officer, has been directed to submit his report within a fortnight.
Reports said that the Livestock department had invited applications for the recruitment of low-grade employees such as veterinary assistants, drivers, cattle assistants and lab technicians. A large number of candidates applied for the posts.
In the meantime, the Punjab government had imposed a ban on recruitments throughout the province. But the department officers issued appointment letters to several candidates without inviting them for test or interview. Recruitments were allegedly made after taking bribes from candidates.
When the matter was reported to the EDO (Agriculture), he stayed the whole process and brought the matter to DCO’s notice who ordered an inquiry into it.
It may be mentioned that the district officer responsible for issuing appointment letters is already facing an inquiry for his alleged involvement in malpractice by the Anti-Corruption Establishment. Besides, the DO is also facing another charge of offering Rs5,000 in bribe to the ACE deputy director. —Correspondent
