News
Saturday, August 06, 2011
Govt to play role in protecting citizens from floods: Khosa* Effective strategy being evolved to combat floods
* Boats and wireless system being provided to departments concerned
Staff Report
LAHORE: Senior Adviser to Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa said that the government would play its fullest role in protecting the life and property of citizens, while addressing a special meeting of the provincial cabinet held to review protective arrangements against floods on Friday.
The meeting was told that all government departments were striving to protect the irrigation network of the province and that an effective strategy was being evolved to minimise damage caused by floods. He said that last year’s floods were unprecedented and that the government departments had started immediate rehabilitation work, which was still in progress. Khosa said that the implementation of arrangements was being monitored at the divisional and district level.
The meeting was told that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had released funds of Rs 2 billion to Disaster Management Authority last year, while funds of Rs 10 billion have been provided this year, which would help complete reconstruction projects. The government was making efforts to provide additional funds.
The irrigation secretary informed the meeting that huge funds were being spent for protecting agricultural land as well as rural and urban populations from floods. He said that completion of new projects and the repair of old projects with the cooperation of public representatives was part of this programme. He said that an SOP had been prepared under which district administration could immediately call the army in case of emergency. He said that 200 modern boats and the latest wireless system were also being provided to the concerned departments under a phased programme. A control cell had been set up under UNDP in this regard, which would provide up-to-date information regarding floods. In addition, rice worth Rs 40 crore has been stocked in case of food emergencies due to floods, which was provided by business organisations and the traders’ community free of cost.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk