Punjab Government will ensure equitable distribution of water:Mian Yawar Zaman

Lahore: Punjab Government will ensure effective participation of farming community in irrigation system of Punjab so that the objective of equitable distribution of water and increase in agro production could be achieved.

It was stated by the Minister for Irrigation Punjab Mian Yawar Zaman while during his visit to the headquarters of Punjab Irrigation & Drainage Authority (PIDA). He was also briefed in PIDA office regarding its functioning and achievements. Besides many other concerned officers, the General Manager (Operation) PIDA Muhammad Younas Bhatti, General Manager (Finance) Malik Muhammad Salim, Secretary PIDA Afzal Anjum Toor, Deputy GM (Op) Mian Abdul Rasheed and Deputy GM (Social Mobilization) Syed Shaiq Hussain Abidi were also present in the meeting.

Secretary PIDA informed the Minister that PIDA has given representation to farmers in five main canal systems by establishing farmers’ organizations (FOs) and Area Water Boards (AWBs). He informed the Minister that 71 FOs have been set up in the AWB of Lower Chenab Canal (East) Faisalabad, 52 FOs in the AWB of Lower Bari Doab Canal Sahiwal, 90 FOs in the AWB of Dera Jaat Canal, Dera Ghazi Khan and 69 FOs in the AWB of Bahawalnagar. Similarly, election process for the formation of 67 FOs in the AWB of Lower Chenab Canal (West) Faisalabad is underway and all FOs will be constituted till the end of July 2013.

The Irrigation Minister appreciated the role of PIDA in introducing the latest water saving technologies and urged to disseminate their outcomes among the common farmers of Punjab. He also eulogized the assistance of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the implementation of “Strengthening Irrigated Agriculture through Participatory Irrigation Management Project (SIAP).

Mian Yawar Zaman urged the PIDA officers to mobilize farming community for paying Abiana so that the government could have funds for repair and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure. He further added that government will resolve the problems of public sector employees on priority basis. While addressing the field officers, he advised them to resolve the problems of farming community at their doorstep.