PIDA to control water theft so farmers could get water on equitable basis:Mian Yawar Zaman

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Irrigation and Chairman PIDA, Mian Yawar Zaman has directed to take all possible steps for checking water theft so that farmers could get water on equitable basis. He further said that law for checking water theft is being further improved.

He stated this while presiding over a meeting held regarding checking of water theft at the office of Irrigation Department today. Secretary Irrigation Capt (R) Saif Anjum, Additional Secretary Irrigation Malik Muhammad Saleem, Chief Monitoring Habib Ullah Bodla, General Manager PIDA Afzal Anjam Toor, Zonal Chief Engineers and other concerned officers were present on the occasion. A briefing was given to the Minister in which it was informed that arrangements have been made for patrolling of canals during the current year and 2001 inspections of canals were made regarding water theft in the light of which departmental action has been taken. The Minister was informed that considerable achievement has been made in checking water theft in Multan Zone. Similarly, he said that performance of the department has improved as a result of posting of canal guards. The Minister was also informed about recommendations being suggested in the laws for checking water theft.

Mian Yawar Zaman said that besides legal action against the persons involved in water theft, steps should also be taken for discouraging theft among the people whoever those causing damage to canal assets should be dealt with sternly. He directed officers and field staff of Irrigation Department to improve mutual contact so that people could benefit from government policies in a better manner. He said that professional performance of field officers will be judged from the steps being taken regarding checking of water theft.