KARACHI, April 21: The provincial government has provided Rs5 billion for the revamping and remodelling of irrigation system in Sindh, according to the Chief Secretary, Mr K. B. Rind.

Chairing a high level meeting, which reviewed arrangements for village census in the province, the CS stressed that agricultural development was vital for prosperity and growth and that a vibrant irrigation system was a must to achieve this objective.

Senior members of the provincial Board of Revenue, secretaries of Agriculture and Education as well as the Deputy Agriculture Census Commissioner (DACC), Punjab, were among those who attended the meeting.

Mr Rind pointed out that an amount of Rs2.9 billion had been released to the district government and Rs2.1 billion to the Irrigation Department for the revamping of irrigation system and lining of canals all over the province. While measures had already been taken to in this regard, he said, strengthening of embankments of Indus River and canals was also under way.

He said loans would be advanced to growers on easy instalments by the Agricultural Development Bank and other financial institutions.

About village census, he said that directives had been issued to the DCOs to pin-point the problems in their respective areas and extend full cooperation to the Agriculture Census Commissionerate in this respect.

The CS said the government was taking appropriate measures for the development of agriculture sector with an aim of improving the lifestyle of farming community.

The DACC, Punjab, told the meeting that the purpose of village census was to assess the agricultural needs at village level under the devolution plan. This, he added, would help provide essential facilities to the growers.—APP/PPI