Minister for Agriculture, Malik Ahmad Ali Aulakh has directed officers of the Irrigation Department to make foolproof arrangements in order to stop pilferage of water. The minister chaired a high level meeting at the Irrigation Department, here on Monday. Secretary Irrigation, Rab Nawaz, Chief Engineer Canal and other officers also attended the meeting.
The secretary irrigation informed the minister in detail about the performance of the irrigation department. The meeting was also informed that the department was carrying out 62 new schemes at a cost of Rs 9657 million out.
It was also informed that 1,317 water pilferers were arrested during the Rabi and Khareef crops. Around Rs 283 million were being spent under Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for protection from flood while Rs 50 million have been earmarked for brick-lining of canals.
The minister was told that the Punjab government had got big bunds and canals repaired through its own resources. The secretary irrigation further informed the minister about present water situation in dams and canals. He said that currently there was no shortage of canal water and wheat crop was being irrigated according to requirements. The minister directed the officers of the department to ensure water availability to the growers during the Khareef season.