THATTA, May 1: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim said on Monday dams were vital for the socio-economic development of the country and the province was not opposed to the construction of Basha dam.

However, the chief minister said he reserved his point of view about the Kalabagh dam.

Talking to newsmen at the circuit house Makli on Monday, he said the government would complete the tenure and his party would participate in the general elections to be held in 2008.

The ruling party was serving the masses and properly governing the country, he said, adding that it made no difference if the ARD launched any campaign against the government.

Talking about uplift projects, he said that after the completion of widening of the National Highway from Karachi to Thatta, the widening of Thatta-Hyderabad road would be taken up.

He said a feasibility study was being worked out for the construction of a bridge on the river Indus between Jherruk and Mulla Katiar. The bridge would facilitate travel between Thatta and Tando Muhammad Khan districts and enhance economic activities in the area.

The chief minister said he had announced Rs500,000 cash, 50 acres of land, ASI post for a brother of Inspector Mushtaq Dal, who lost his life in an encounter with notorious dacoit Ghaffar Abbasi.

Criticizing laying of Ajraks on the body of dacoit Ghaffar Abbasi by the villagers during his funeral, the chief minister said that this kind of practice for an outlaw was intolerable and those who had done that would be taken to task.

He said transfers and postings of officers in Sindh would be recommended on merit and no political pressure be accepted.

Earlier, the chief minister in an open kutchehry listened to the grievances of people, particularly those who came from Bannu and Laiqpur villages and victimized by dacoit Ghaffar Abbasi.

The chief minister asked the DCO to issue licenses for arms to the villagers for their self-defence.

Adviser to Chief Minister on Forests Syed Aijaz Ali Shah Shirazi told Arbab Rahim that further delay in supply of irrigation water would badly affect the expected yield of paddy crop.