FAISALABAD, Oct 19: The Punjab irrigation secretary has increased the quota of the LCC east canal system from 12,500 cusecs to 15,700 cusecs.

The decision was taken at a meeting held here on Friday.

The irrigation secretary also directed inclusion of 500,000 acres in the canal-commanded areas.

Area water board chief executive Arshad Khan Niazi informed the meeting that a programme was being worked out under which growers and landlords would have a say in operation and maintenance of canals. Their participation in the system would ensure just and equitable distribution of available water resources, he said.

HOSPITAL: Work on the first phase of 200-bed maternity hospital will commence shortly.

This was stated here on Friday at a meeting of the Red Crescent Society, Faisalabad, held under the chairmanship of DCO Iqbal Ahmad Raja.

The project will cost over Rs17 million.