Punjab Senior Minister, Raja Riaz Ahmad has said that the third party consultant policy was being introduced in the irrigation department under the reform agenda so that transparency in developmental, financial and administrative matter could be ensured.
He said this while inspecting the ongoing development work for the rehabilitation of Burala branch canal near Jaranwala on Saturday.
The Senior Minister said that efforts were being made to strengthen the irrigation system in the province that would significantly improve the flow of canal water after the rehabilitation, extension and lining of the canals.
While expressing satisfaction over the quality of construction work being carried for the rehabilitation of Burala branch canal, Ahmed directed the irrigation department officers to maintain the pace of development work through strict monitoring to complete the civil works timely. Further, Raja Riaz directed officers to pay special attention to the maintenance of canal said that breach free operation of canals should be ensured. He stressed eradication of the incidents of canal water theft and directed stern legal action against those involved in such practice.
Punjab Minister also inspected the completed work of lining of Rakh Branch canal and asked the irrigation department officers to make efficient and comprehensive arrangements for maintenance and beautification of its banks. The Chief Engineer, Irrigation, Qazi Anwar Ali briefed the Minister during the inspection of Burala Branch canal informed that under the rehabilitation of lower Chenab canal system part B programme, an amount of Rs2.00 billion was being spent on eleven development packages. Out of that an amount of Rs1.1320 billion was allocated for the rehabilitation of 148km Burala branch canal and its 533km distributories.
He informed that 98 near bridges, 105 cattle Ghats, 13 head regulators of channels, eight structures and 914 outlets would be constructed on this canal and that quality of work and its in time would be ensured. The Director, Federal Ministry of Population Welfare, Dr Shafqat Javed, Principal, Regional Training Institute, Dr Abdul Rab, Field Staffs, NGO representatives, peoples for different lifestyle and MPAs Major Abdul Rehman Rana and Liaqat Ali Nazar attended the convention.