HYDERABAD, Nov 14: District Coordination Officer, Hyderabad, Aftab Ahmed Khatri on Wednesday formed a Vigilance committee headed by the Executive District Officer, Agriculture, Shuhabuddin Siddiqui to expedite pace of work on lining of water-courses under National Programme for Improvement of Water Courses (NPIWC).

The DCO warned the officers concerned to achieve annual targets for lining of 80 watercourses by the end of this financial year failing which action will be taken against those responsible.

Presiding a review meeting at his office, the DCO directed formation of three teams - two for getting targeted watercourses lined and third for resolving old disputes or remaining work of last year.

Taking notice of obstacles and hindrances created by some farmer associations for not starting construction work, the DCO appointed Mukhtiarkar Taluka Hyderabad Rural as Coordinating Officer and asked him either to get the work on troubled watercourses started or recover government funds from unwilling associations.

On reluctance of concerned associations, FIRs should be lodged he said and asked officers to submit weekly progress report. Referring to technical problems in lining of watercourses, the DCO directed the officers concerned to cancel or replace the watercourse not feasible for lining.

The DCO was dissatisfied over social mobilisation and directed officers concerned to adopt a strategy for awareness for making farmers’ participatory development programme a success.

He asked for organizing farmers’ day, seminars and demonstration of lined watercourses with the consultation and cooperation of farmers’ organisations.

Regional Head of Programme Monitoring Unit (PMU) Hyderabad Shafique Ahmed Mahesar said his staff and consultants were available to guide and help field teams for On-Farm Water Management (OFWM).

He said his management had earmarked some amount for giving away cash prizes to successful teams and according to criteria, 10 top teams would be nominated for their performances and Rs. 0.1 million for each winning team.

He said Rs.8.8 million had so far been awarded to nine field teams by the management of his organisation and advised the field teams of Hyderabad district to compete in it.

The EDO Agriculture Shuhabuddin Siddiqui, EDO Community Development Shafaatullah Uner, EDO Finance and Planning Javed Junejo and District Officer OFWM Hyderabad Safdar Shaikh were also present in the meeting.—APP