TOBA TEK SINGH, Jan 9: Farmers of some areas are not cooperating with the Irrigation staff in the on-going desiltation work of water courses and minor canals.

This was stated by the Irrigation superintending engineer, Faisalabad, while speaking at a meeting here on Wednesday.

He warned that if the cultivators did not take part in the campaign, outlets of their water courses would be closed.

The Jhang irrigation XEN told the meeting that 100 per cent desiltation work had already been completed in five minor canals in the district while work in other canals would be got completed before Jan 13.

Officials informed the district Nazim that at least Rs1 million were required for the repair of banks of canals. The district Nazim assured them that he would make all out efforts to get approved the projected amount.

At least 2.9 million cubec feet of silt would be removed from 108 miles long 20 canals in the district during the current drive, the meeting was told.

District Naib Nazim Haji Ghulam Rabbani and DCO Salim Akhtar Kiani were also present on the occasion.

OBJECTIONS: A dozens of tehbazari shopkeepers and ticket holders appeared before tehsil Nazim and other officials on Wednesday during the hearing of objections against the proposed 100 per cent increase in tehbazari fee.

They told tehsil Nazim that at the time of increasing 40 per cent fee last year, the former municipal committee administrator had promised that the fee would not be increased during the next three years.

They said that they were unable to pay the proposed increase in the fee due to an overall slump in business.

Nazims, Naib Nazims and councillors of union councils assured the shopkeepers that they would convince the tehsil Nazim to accept their demand.