THATTA, April 6: The Sindh government in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank has prepared a comprehensive plan of Rs8.3 billion to help alleviate poverty and to provide basic amenities in Thatta, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas and Badin districts. This was stated by ADB project implementation officer Ms Asmat Shahjehan and the project coordination officer of Rural Development Project, Sindh, Mr Fazal Nizamani, at a meeting with Thatta District Nazim Syed Shafqat Hussain Shah Shirazi here on Wednesday.

The meeting was told that the seven-year project would benefit approximately 96,000 families of these districts while 22,000 families would be able to improve their wages between 21 to 29 per cent.

The project includes an education sector programme to provide legal know-how to village population, impart training to 575 revenue officers, participatory education to 3,000 trainees and veterinary education to 300 villagers.

Apart from this, 40,000 village women would also be provided knowledge about cattle breeding through 1,600 workshops and refresher courses.

Under the programme, Thatta would be connected through 200 roads linking 750 villages.

The plan envisages a programme of providing potable water and health facilities to the people.

ADB officials said that the bank had already sanctioned Rs50 million but due to various reasons the programme could not be initiated within the stipulated time.

The district nazim suggested that besides implementation of this programme, the concerned authorities should also pay special attention towards desilting of the riverine network in those districts.

This would be more beneficial as these districts absolutely depend on agriculture.

Streamlining of water channels would revitalize the shrinking forests and give a boost to the fisheries business. Thatta DCO Ahmed Bux Narejo and officials of nation-building departments were also present during the meeting.