Farmer bodies to resolve irrigation problems

The Punjab Irrigation and Drainage Authority (PIDA) has constituted 3,666 farmer committees to resolve their problems. At a meeting here, PIDA Chief Engineer Qazi Muhammad Anwar said the government had included another 14 farmer organisations in the irrigation system, adding that "khal reconciliation committees" were being set up.
He said for the first time in the national history, the powers delegated to sub-divisional officers and executive engineers related to the distribution of water had been delegated to farmer's organisations.
The farmer bodies had also been authorised to spend 40 percent of abiana (water cess) while the remaining amount would have to be deposited with the government treasury.