| Zardari directs Sindh govt to build 28 small dams on war footing |
| Saturday, 14 June 2008 | |
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The Sindh government has been directed by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari to build 28 small dams and water reservoirs on a war footing basis to accumulate rain and additional water for agriculture purposes. Zardari also urged the government to complete the projects within the stipulated time period. It was decided that the construction of 14 small dams and water reservoirs would be started after the announcement of the provincial budget. Feasibility studies of these dams and reservoirs have already been prepared while feasibility studies of another two dams are also underway. The feasibility of 12 more dams including two canals would be prepared after the budget. This was the first executive meeting at Bilawal House after the PPP came into power. The meeting was attended by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, City Nazim Mustafa Kamal, provincial ministers Jam Saifullah Dharijo, Syed Ali Nawaz Shah, adviser to the Prime Minister Salman Farooqi, National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) Chairman Dr Asim Hussain, Sindh chief secretary and secretaries of the departments concerned. The meeting discussed the water crisis and construction of water reservoirs as it was anticipated that the province would get more water following the expected scrapping of the Kalabagh Dam project. Most of the proposed small dams would be built to save rain water, while three to four dams would be built on the River Indus. The proposed small dams were the part of the PPP manifesto to boost agriculture and to provide more employment to farmers. It was also decided that the land surrounding these dams and water reservoirs would be distributed amongst poor farmers. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad confirmed the decision taken after the meeting. The Irrigation Minister Jam Saifullah Dharijo told the media that funds for the projects would be allocated in the provincial budget for these dams while it was also expected that the federal government would provide funds. Sindh Revenue Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that 225,000 acres of land surrounding these water reservoirs would be cultivated as a result of these measures. He also disclosed that it was decided that 16 acres of land each would be distributed to poor farmers. The deed of ownership however will be allotted to women. Meanwhile, PPP Chief Asif Ali Zardari assured party workers that as per as the vision of the late party chairperson Benazir Bhutto, the party was committed to protecting their rights. Addressing workers of the Pakistan Steel People’s Workers Union at Bilawal House, the PPP leader congratulated union leaders for their victory in the CBA referendum. He also assured them that Pakistan Steel would be run under a public-private partnership. |
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