TOBA TEK SINGH, July 17: The government will disburse a sum of Rs2.74 billion among 150,000 deserving people in the province during the current fiscal.

This was assured by Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool while addressing a public gathering at Mauza Wahgi near Kamalia on Wednesday.

The governor said at least 150,000 villagers would be allotted plots of five and seven marlas and the awarding of proprietary rights to the dwellers would be widened to more areas.

He directed the irrigation department sub-engineers to apprise the farmers of rotation programme by visiting every water outlet regularly. He assured farmers the government would ensure water supply in all areas of the Punjab.

He said the rate of wheat rose to Rs300 per maund in the open market due to government’s policy. He assured the sugar cane growers maximum payment to them by the mills in the next season. Weighing scales of sugar cane purchase centres would be strictly checked in the next season, he added.

He said an amount of Rs2 billion would be spent on the remodelling of canal system and at least 546,000 acres would be made cultivable. With the cementing of water courses, the wastage of water would be stopped, he said. The Punjab government would provide a sucker-sewerage-machine to the district worth Rs6 million which will be used for all local councils of district.

He also announced the government would provide funds to construct the Kamalia bypass. On the request of farmers, the governor directed agriculture department officials to send him report, finding out the three months when farmers required subsidy on use of electricity for tubewells.

Earlier, the governor visited Kamalia Tehsil Headquarters Hospital and inquired after the patients. He also inspected the under-construction five kilometres piece of the Kamalia-Chichawatni Road. — Correspondent