TOBA TEK SINGH, April 11: The irrigation department has delayed the appointment of baildars in the Toba-Jhang irrigation division allegedly due to political pressure.

According to a source, the irrigation department had decided to fill the vacant posts of baildars in the wake of frequent canal breaches in the area. The seats were advertised and interviews held in December, but appointments could not be made as parliamentarians allegedly started pressurizing the department for creation of a quota for the purpose.

Farmers have urged the irrigation minister to make the appointments of baildars purely on merit.

SOW-COTTON DRIVE: The agriculture department has launched a campaign to convince cultivators to sow cotton instead of sugarcane in the district. The district officer for enterprise and investment promotion informed newsmen that as an incentive, farmers would be given hand-sprayers for the cotton crop at half the actual price.