Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said that Rs 200,000 each would be given as compensation to the families of the children who died in drought-hit Tharparkar. He was addressing a news conference after a meeting with district government and other local representatives here on Sunday regarding relief efforts in the district.
The Chief Minister said that the provincial government is investigating the situation and strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible for any negligence.
Besides distributing food, he said that the government is providing medical facilities to the affected people. Mobile dispensaries, which have been increased from 14 to 20, are working round the clock in the remote areas of the district, he added.
Qaim Ali Shah said that two trucks of medicines have arrived here and teams of doctors and para-medical staff have left to remote areas of district.
He said that the government has started the distribution of wheat among the affected people. Shah further said that a 50kg bag is being given to each family.
The Chief Minister said that doctors are being appointed at union council level in far-flung areas. Besides, 29 basic health units are being established in union councils, he added.
He said that a committee, comprising of lawmakers, media persons and a member of the civil society, has been formed to distribute wheat in a transparent manner.
Qaim Ali Shah said that people of Thar leave for irrigated lands every year where wheat is sown for harvesting, and some of them have migrated for the same purpose this year too.
He said that the district government made some mistakes, and an inquiry is under way in this regard.
Later, the Chief Minister visited Civil Hospital where he met patients and also inquired about facilities.
Qaim Ali Shah said that former president Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Patron-in-Chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will soon visit Tharparkar. He said that the Punjab government had offered assistance for drought victims and they were thankful for that.