SIALKOT, June 22: The Sialkot district government has launched a project to build new channels to ensure smooth provision of irrigation water, especially at the tail ends, to enable farmers to enhance yield.

District Nazim Mian Naeem Javaid told newsmen here on Tuesday that the government had started 155 schemes of constructing new water courses in the rural areas of the district at a cost of Rs160.5 million with active public participation.

He said the district government had purchased 27 laser levelling machines at a cost of Rs20 million. The machines would be given on nominal charges to farmers to level their land to avoid wastage of water.

He said the forest department set up new nurseries and sold saplings to the growers to increase forest area. Mr Javaid said the district government had allocated Rs20 million more for providing modern farm machinery to farmers.

POLICE: The business community has announced provision of eight new cars fitted with modern gadgets to help police eliminate crime. The community had already donated 10 new motorcycles and wireless sets to the Sialkot police for the purpose besides constructing the building of Rescue-15.