LAHORE, Oct 20: Conceding the fact that the number of thefts and robberies is increasing, Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool has said the government is taking strict measures to control crime and terrorist activities in the province.

The governor was responding to questions from people invited from cross section of society at an iftar party at Governor's House here on Wednesday.

He said the people had strongly reacted to the blast incidents at Sialkot, Multan and Lahore and the government accepted its negligence. He said the government was now taking more and more foolproof security measures to control heinous crime. However, he said, the police and security agencies had managed to reduce the rate of dacoities in banks, factories and highway robberies.

Earlier, a man informed the governor that the police had failed to recover the booty, which dacoits had looted from his wife and finally got arrested. He said he had himself identified the dacoits but a little recovery was made out of Rs95,000. He also said that dacoits had now been released and were committing the same kind of dacoities in his area.

The governor directed the police officials to recover the total booty from the dacoits or their guarantors. He also asked the police to strictly check the criminal activities of the dacoits.

He also asked the anti-narcotics force to conduct a massive action against drug pushers in different localities of Lahore.

The governor also directed the representatives of different government departments, including Wapda, PTCL, sui gas, city district government, LDA, Wasa and C&W to solve people's problems.

About the performance of different departments, the governor said the PTCL would provide some 200,000 connections in Lahore alone next year. Wherever PTCL network is available, he said, the connections would be provided to subscribers within 24 hours.

Similarly, he said, the Wapda would provide 41,000 new power connections in 670 suburban villages with a total cost of Rs250 million. He said the Wapda would augment its electricity supply system by installing seven new grid stations and new feeders with a total amount of Rs350 million.

The governor directed the Wapda officials to resolve people's problems regarding electricity in Township, Johar Town and Shahdara.

With regard to the gas supply, he said the SNGPL had worth Rs4 billion projects in pipeline for Punjab alone. He said the new project would help provide 60,000 new gas connections to people in Lahore.

The Nadra, the governor said, had completed the delivery of almost 70 per cent computerized national identity cards to people in Lahore. He said the senior citizens had been given the facility to call Nadra staff at their home on a phone call for the preparation of their computerized ID cards.

Answering questions, the governor said that a flyover would be constructed at Niazi Chowk while underpasses would be built at Kalma Chowk and Mustafaabad.

He said the City District Government had been provided Rs170 million funds for improvement in drainage system in Lahore. He said the Wasa had installed 38 tubewells in the city for round-the-clock water supply to the people.

The governor said that a project with the cooperation of World Bank would be implemented to provide best facilities in Lahore.

To another question, he said the government was promptly reacting to news items regarding price-hike and trying to control it. He said almost all commodities were available in Sasta Bazaars on controlled rates.

He also said that the petrol prices had increased to $54 per barrel in the world market, but the government was still providing it to masses at the rate of $30 per barrel. He said the government was giving $24 per barrel subsidy.

The governor directed the CDG to take notice of the traffic problem and accidents in Shahdara and other northern areas of Lahore.

He also issued directions to the authorities concerned for the provision of hospital facilities, girls colleges, special education institutions, repair of roads, streets and drainage system. He also asked the PHA to make different unattended parks in Township functional.