Provincial Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Environment Protection and Cooperatives Muhammad Basharat Raja presided over the meeting of the Ministerial Disaster Management Committee (MDMC) at the Civil Secretariat.
Provincial Finance Minister Mohsin Khan Leghari and Revenue Minister Nawabzada Mansoor Ahmed Khan also attended the meeting.
MDMC reviewed plans to stop river erosion in different areas of Punjab. Director General PDMA gave a briefing on 9 schemes for protection against erosive action of various rivers in 7 districts. The ministerial committee directed that the irrigation department should conduct a detailed survey and submit a report on the schemes to prevent river erosion.
The meeting was informed that 9 schemes have been estimated at a cost of Rs 953 million in Jhang, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Gujrat, Hafizabad and Mianwali.
Chairman Committee Muhammad Basharat Raja directed to avoid obstructing the natural channels of rivers while constructing dykes.
“PDMA should also estimate how many people will benefit from the government schemes”, directed the chair. Raja Basharat also directed to resubmit the revised details within a week.
On this occasion, Revenue Minister Nawabzada Mansoor Ahmed Khan said that December to March is the ideal time to work on flood schemes. “It is better that the concerned departments proceed with the flood schemes in the same months so that the measures can be completed before the inflow of water increases”, said Nawabzada.
During the meeting, Finance Minister Mohsin Laghari pledged that the Punjab government will ensure the provision of funds required for flood schemes to avoid the ravages of floods.
