TOBA TEK SINGH, Sept 11: The treasury will shortly table a bill in the Punjab Assembly to enhance punishment for water theft, says Irrigation Minister Amer Sultan Cheema.

Addressing an open court in the District Council hall, he was optimistic that the passage of the bill would work as a deterrent.

Various union council nazims and farmers accused the Bhaghat subdivision SDO of extorting money from cultivators. The minister asked the Toba DCO and canal superintending engineer, Faisalabad circle, to hold an inquiry and proceed against the SDO if he was guilty.

District Nazim Chaudhry Muhammad Ashfaq informed the open court that for raising the water supply indent of Toba Tek Singh district canals, he would meet the Punjab chief minister.

FAISALABAD: Addressing a court here, the minister said a mega project was being launched for lining of the canals under a phased programme which would cost Rs 2,000 million and its approval was in the final stages.

He said Faisalabad zone canals would be repaired and restored to their actual design by spending Rs 700 million. “The work on this project will begin by September-end.”