LAHORE, Oct 21: Senior Minister Raja Riaz Ahmad says the government is facilitating private sector to further invest in power generation projects in Punjab to overcome energy crisis.

Presiding over a meeting of the irrigation and power department here on Tuesday, the minister said the private sector was being encouraged to set up small hydro power plants in the province.

As many as 48 preferred sites with a total capacity to produce 350MW electricity had been selected for private sector investment. Another 600MW electricity could be generated by setting up small hydel power plants at canal falls at 317 suitable places identified by the department, he said.

He said the Punjab Power Development Board was being reconstituted to make it more effective and efficient. A sum of Rs64.96 million was being spent on capacity building of power wing of the irrigation department. Likewise, Rs69 million were also being spent on improvement of Nandipur hydraulic research station.

Grading course: The Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company will begin a two-week ‘Diamond grading training course’ for 40 gem and jewellery professionals at its Gems and Jewellery Training and Manufacturing Centre here from Wednesday (today).

Gemmologist Mansoor Usman will conduct the training to be held in morning and evening shifts of three hours each every day.—Reporter