HYDERABAD, Nov 24: The senior member, Sindh, Manzoor Hussain Bhutto held an open katchery at the Shahbaz Hall on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion, senior members of the Board of Revenue said that the government was providing all sorts of facilities to the growers and the aim of such katcheries was to redress the grievances of the farming community.

He added that all powers were being given to the district governments and all the problems of the common man would be resolved through their elected representatives.

Mr. Manzoor said as per the decision of the government the growers who have an income of more than Rs80,000 per annum will have to file agriculture income tax returns.

He disclosed that the land revenue powers of commissioners were being delegated to executive district officers (revenue), of deputy commissioners to district officers (revenue), and of assistant commissioners to deputy district officers (revenue).

He informed that various changes were underway to enforce the system and solve problems of cultivators and growers.

He further said that there was shortage of water in the province which had badly affected the cultivation of land and decreased productivity.

Mr Manzoor said that previously there was separate assessment of crops at the taluka and district level but the government had assessed that Partaal system was not so effective.

He said that assessment (Partaal) of crops would be made through a scientific system. He informed that the powers of revenue officer, Kotri barrage, and colonization officer, Sukkur barrage, have been delegated to district governments and changes in designation/powers of barrage Mukhtiarkar were being made through an ordinance.

He stressed upon landlords to repay the charges of water courses being constructed by the ADBP in their lands, etc.

He also stressed upon the growers to form cooperative societies for redressal of their problems as the cooperative system was functioning in a befitting manner in the NWFP.

He assured that the government would take action against corrupt officials.

He heard the problems of the growers and assured that appropriate action would be taken on their demands.

The open katchery was largely attended by landlords, growers, office bearers, and members of the Sindh Abadgar Board, Sindh Chamber of Agriculture, District Coordination Officer (Hyderabad), all executive district officers, and officers of various government departments.