HYDERABAD, Oct 21: Sindh minister for agriculture, food and forests, Hassan Ali Chaniho has said that keeping in view the problems faced by the growers for 2001-2002 Rabi crops, the government was preparing a relief package to achieve the wheat production targets.

He was talking to research scholars and agriculture experts of Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Tando Jam at the university rest house here the other day.

He said in view of the shortage of water, steps would have to be taken in advance for the Rabi season to meet the production targets.

About the relief package, he said certified seeds, fertilizers, agricultural loans and necessary agricultural equipment would be made available to growers.

Mr Chaniho urged the experts of agriculture department, agriculture extension, agriculture engineering and agriculture research to provide guidance to the growers and setup advisory centres for resolving the problems of the farming community.

He directed the agriculture engineering officials to setup water users associations in collaboration with farmers’ organisations to line the water logging drains for checking the wastage of water.

He disclosed that during the first phase, the water courses of Nara canal command area would be lined and added that 75 per cent of expenses would be borne by the Singh government and 25 per cent by growers.

Speaking on the occasion, the vice chancellor of the SAU, Bashir Ahmed Chandio said that the university would convene a seminar on wheat cultivation in the first week of November for the benefit of growers.

Director generals of agriculture engineering, agriculture extension, agriculture research and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.

EXAM: Shagird Ittehad of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro has appealed to the Sindh University administration to re-conduct their Medicine paper-I final year MBBS otherwise the future of 700 students would be jeopardised.

A group of students requesting anonymity told Dawn that many students who wanted to go abroad for higher studies would be deprived of admissions there if they were not re-examined in the paper immediately.

The students had boycotted the paper on August 30.

RESULTS: The controller of examinations, University of Sindh Jamshoro, has announced the results of M.A (final) pass Political Science, M.A (final) honours Political Science and M.A (final) honours Economics semester examinations 2000.

POWER TARIFF: The president of Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Yousuf Suleman has expressed grave concern over the increase in the electricity charges and said that the consumers were already groaning under the weight of utility bills.

In a statement here on Sunday, he said that this increase was unjust and unwarranted.

He said that instead of encouraging the industrial sector by reducing the power tariff, the authorities by increasing the rates had also increased the cost of production of manufactures.

The HCCI leader said this would have adverse affect on the economy as the prices of our manufactured goods would not be able to compete in the international market.

He demanded that the increase in the electricity charges be withdrawn immediately.

WATER: Many parts of Hyderabad City, Latifabad, Qasimabad, cantonment and other areas remained without water for over 50 hours on Friday and Saturday due to the ongoing fight between Wapda and the HDA over bills.

Many people have complained that they even could not offer Jumma prayers due to non-availability of water.