New dams are essential to resolve energy crisis:Mian Yawar Zaman

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Irrigation, Mian Yawar Zaman has said that farmer-friendly changes will be brought in Irrigation Department in accordance with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. He said that transparency in the irrigation projects and process of distribution of water will be ensured.Immediate steps would be taken for the solution of important problems pertaining to Irrigation Department for the rapid development of the province besides all possible resources will be provided for the improvement, rehabilitation and uplift of irrigation system, he added.

Mian Yawar Zaman said that effective steps would be taken for checking of canal water theft so that availability of equitable water could be ensured to the cultivators for their crops throughout the province. The Minister said that present government will make effective legislation for checking water theft.

Mian Yawar said at present, shortage of water is our main problem. He said that construction of new dams is very essential for substantial water for the crops in order to meet food requirement of the increasing population. He said that construction of new dams would not only result in availability of water but overcome energy crisis by generating hydel power.

He expressed these views while addressing a briefing given by Secretary Irrigation Capt. (Retd) Zahid Saeed at Irrigation Secretariat, here today.Consultant Irrigation Department Mahmood-ul-Hassan Siddiqui, Additional Secretary Saleem Malik, Khalid Qureshi Chief Monitoring Habib Bodla and other senior officers were present on the occasion.

The Minister directed the senior officers of the department to make all possible arrangements for ensuring the timely and equitable provision of water to the farmers. He also directed to evolve a comprehensive strategy for checking water theft and the existing laws should be implemented strictly for the eradication of water theft. He said that all available resources should be utilized for making irrigation system more effective.