The Senior Punjab Minister, Raja Riaz Ahmad has directed the Irrigation Department and Punjab Irrigation and Drainage Authority (Pida) high-ups to take effective measures to stop water theft in liaison with the police and revenue department officials.
Presiding over a departmental meeting at his office on Friday, he directed to ensure efficient and equitable distribution of canal water and to implement a rotational plan in letter and spirit. The meeting discussed in detail various steps to ensure provision of canal water at tails. It also reviewed the performance of Farmers' Organisations (FO) and the development of Irrigation Sector Reforms in the canal command areas.
Further, the meeting was told that 1,835 water disputes have been reported to be amicably resolved in Area Water Board and Lower Chenab Canal Circle (East), Faisalabad and 2,431 water theft cases have been reported to the police while police have registered 607 FIRs.
In the meantime, 1,150 special charge cases have also been decided besides imposition of Rs 27.63 million levies on especial charges. 9,903 outlets have been checked and 1,828 have been rectified, the meeting learnt.
Further, FOs have utilised Rs 110 million during the last three years while an amount of Rs 24 million is still available with them. As a result of Canal Sector Reforms, 29 tails of channels have been improved. The Senior Minister directed the FOs to actively involve the farming community in repair and maintenance work of canals and sensitise them to pay their 'Aabiana' charges well in time.
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