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HYDERABAD, April 13: The Sindh government has approved a $170 million “Water Sector Improvement Project” and earmarked an amount of Rs110 million for it in the ADP 2005-2006. The project has been launched with the financial assistance of the World Bank. The decision to this effect was taken at the first meeting of the steering committee of the project held recently in Karachi.
Additional chief secretary of planning and development Ghulam Sarwar Khero presided over the meeting, which was attended by Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA) chairman, Brigadier (Rtd) Abdul Haq, additional secretary irrigation Sindh, Khadim Hussain Memon, MD SIDA, Ali Muhammad Baloch, additional secretary agriculture, Ghulam Muhammad Memon, and other senior officers of the concerned departments.
Under this project, the repair of Kotri, Sukkur and Guddu Barrage will be carried out and left bank canals, Nara canal, Ghotki canal and other canals will be rehabilitated. In addition to this, massive reforms will be brought about in the irrigation system and the growers will also be given training to ensure optimum use of irrigation water.
The meeting decided to request provincial minister for irrigation, Sardar Nadir Akmal Leghari, to chair the meetings of the steering committee and appointed additional secretary irrigation as coordinator.
JJVL: The plant manager of Jamshoro Joint Venture Limited (JJVL), Mr Ashfaq Ahmed Leghari, has claimed that 100 per cent locals have been employed in the plant and the contractor of the company (security and technical) has hired 60 per cent of Sindhi speaking people from whole of the province.
He was responding to the protest movement launched by certain elements against the non-employment of local people at the plant.
In a statement issued here on Wednesday, he said that the company was bound in its commitment to set up a community centre in the area and was looking for suitable land which will be purchased with the consent of the local community.
He appealed for the appointment of a committee comprising politicians, nationalist leaders, lawyers, HRCP and notables of the city to intervene in the matter and personally see things for themselves.
JUP: The senior vice president of Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, MNA Dr Sahibzada Abul Khair Muhammad Zubair, who is also a central leader of MMA, has lashed out at those forces which have created controversy over the unanimously approved 1973 Constitution of Pakistan. In a statement issued here on Wednesday, he said that it was due to the efforts of late Allama Shah Ahmed Noorani Siddiqui that 278 articles about Islam were included in the constitution. He, however, said that some vested interests were acting on the agenda of a particular group and trying to destroy the unity and solidarity of Pakistan. He warned that the people of Pakistan will not allow anyone to tamper with the 1973 Constitution.
HCCI: Former president, Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and chairman chamber’s standing committee for customs, central excise and sales tax, Haji Muhammad Yaqoob has hailed the decision of the chairman, Central Board of Revenue, Mr Abdullah Yousuf to introduce the amnesty scheme for non-duty paid vehicles.
In a statement issued here on Wednesday, he said that his instructions to the director general intelligence and investigation, custom and excise not to resort to any raids or conduct investigation in respect of above vehicle was also a welcome step.
Haji Muhammad Yaqoob claimed that these measures will not only stop harassment of industrialists by the agencies, but will also go a long way in augmenting the government revenue.
