Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf has asked all Provinces to remain strict on annual canal closures schedule and complete the de-silting/repair of canals and related infrastructure within 35 days starting from 26th December, 2010 to 31st January 2011.
He said this while presiding over an inter-provincial meeting held here on Tuesday in the ministry to review the current water available situation, forthcoming annual canal closures and its impact on the hydropower generation. Minister asked the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) Chairman to ensure judicious releases for meeting the crop water requirements, while having due consideration to generate maximum possible electricity from hydel resources during canal closures. The power generation entities were also asked to build sufficient reserves of oil so as to mitigate the affect of less hydel generation during annual canal closures.
Earlier, Irsa official briefed the meeting regarding inflows and out flows in December, 2010 and January, 2011. It was informed that water situation in dams is much better this year, as compared to previous year. It was informed that provincial indents are being fully met as per their requirement on daily basis.-PR