CM directs DCs to remove encroachments from watercourses

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Pervez Khattak on Wednesdaydirected the deputy commissioners to remove encroachments in the way of water channels to ensure the smooth flow of water to minimise the danger of floods.

He was talking to a 20-member delegation of farmers led by Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Arbab Jehandad Khan at the Chief Minister’s House here.  Secretary Irrigation and other officials were also present on the occasion, said a handout.

The chief minister directed the Irrigation Department to allocate Rs100 million for the maintenance and repair of various schemes of the department. He directed the authorities to prepare a feasibility of the Daudzai channel and reflect it in the next annual development programme.

Pervez Khattak urged the farmers to pay abyana and said the government would use the resources for the public welfare. “Countries are run on taxation. We have to develop the culture of paying taxes to contribute to the exchequer,” he added.

He said that floods caused untold miseries and hardships to the people and damaged the properties. “We should plan to minimise the sufferings of our people,” he stressed.

Pervez Khattak called upon the people to voluntarily remove encroachments blocking the flow of water. He said that some elements had encroached upon the banks of the watercourses that led to flooding. He said it was our social responsibility to discourage all those making encroachments and blocking the flow of water.

The chief minister directed the Irrigation Department to plan a complete structure of channelisation to ensure the appropriate use of water resources to bring barren land under cultivation and prevent damage to the property.