The Punjab Irrigation Department is spending a sum of Rs 537 million on formation of 'Farmer Organisations' in the culturable command areas to expedite the institutional reforms in the province. Social mobilisation and training is also a component of this project.
This was stated by Provincial Minister Riaz Ahmad while talking to an assemblage of farmers and water users at Irrigation Headquarters' Committee Room on Friday. Representatives of PIDA were also present who briefed the delegation about the pace of development and infrastructural improvement of the 37,000 miles long canals and distributaries in the province. A sum of Rs 200 million will be spent during the current fiscal year for institutional development, he said.
About various features of irrigation sector reforms, he said that the government is spending Rs 84 million on rehabilitation of Ghazi Distributary in Muzaffargarh and another Rs 10 million for improving the flow of water at Sadar Distributary in Sargodha so that the water reaches the tail ends.
The Irrigation Department has spent Rs one billion on the lining of water channels during the last financial year, he said. The department is also spending Rs 281 million for improving flood works infrastructure. The formation of 17 Area Water Boards and 1202 farmer organisations will be completed by 2014, he said. He expressed satisfaction that LCC (East) Circle farmer organisations have completed developmental works of canals on self-help basis worth Rs 3.8 million in their area.