SWABI, Feb 16: The NWFP government has sought a loan of Rs40 billion from the federal government for the construction of 21 small dams in the province.

Speaking at a public meeting here on Thursday, NWFP Education Minister Maulana Fazal Ali said: “We have approached the federal government for the provision of loan but have not received any reply.”

Mr Ali said the feasibility of the dams had been completed and the provincial government only needed funds to start work on them.

“If the dams are constructed, the province will be self-sufficient in wheat production and no longer depend on Punjab which frequently stops wheat supply and creates flour shortage,” the minister said.

About the power royalty, he said the federal government had never given its due share to the NWFP, but now the situation had changed and they had expressed readiness to resolve this issue.