BAHAWALPUR, July 18: The Social Welfare Department distributed on Monday cheques for Rs50,000 each among 16 former camel jockeys, of six districts, repatriated from the United Arab Emirates and other Arab countries. Former jockeys were from Bahawalpur, Multan, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh and Faisalabad districts.

Punjab Social Welfare Director-General Aslam Awan said the government had registered 700 former jockeys, and of them 68 had got compensation. He said the government would take all measures for the rehabilitation of such affected children.

On the occasion, Social Welfare Director (programmes) Abdul Quddoos said that the government would also launch a welfare programme for cotton-picker women in eight districts. These women would be provided protective gadgets like caps, shoes, gloves and snake–bite vaccines to protect them from pests.

The department would also plan to provide stipends and free education to the children of cotton pickers.

RIVER AGAIN: The Sutlej River is attracting scores of picnickers after India released water into the otherwise dried water channel. The water took about one week to reach Bahawalpur with the result that it accumulated at Empress Railway Bridge and Highway bridges near the city. Irrigation Executive Engineer Liaquat Ali told Dawn that only 7,000 to 8,000 cusec was flowing in the river.