SIALKOT, Nov 2: The district government could not start laser land levelling acquired about two months ago due to the non-availability of operators and drivers for the machines.

According to official sources, there was only one trained operator to operate the machines while no driver for the nine tractors which were used for moving the machines. The Sialkot agriculture department have failed to recruit the operators and drivers.

Moreover, the nine machines - three each for Sialkot, Daska and Pasrur tehsils - have been kept under the open sky and were rusting which was a proof of the negligence of agriculture department.

When contacted, Sialkot EDO (finance) Rana Azhar Ali said the agriculture department launched the technology without making any operational plan.

Sialkot EDO (agriculture) Rana Farman Ali said this technology also could not become operational because of paddy cultivation.

Sialkot DCO Syed Tahir Raza Naqvi said a probe has been ordered against the officials of agriculture department for their alleged negligence.

He said the agriculture department had been directed to train the operating staff.

District Nazim Mian Naeem Javaid had distributed nine land levelling machines with tractors and scrapers at a special ceremony held at Pakki Kotli village, Daska, about two months ago.