KP CM wants artificial dams built to bring barren land under cultivation

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Thursday directed the Irrigation Department to introduce a modern irrigation system to make maximum barren land cultivable and ensure judicious and prudent use of available water resources across the province.

“Artificial dams should be constructed at suitable spots of the province. And for this purpose, a system of cluster solar tube-wells be introduced to bring maximum barren land under cultivation,” he told a meeting of the Irrigation Department here. Provincial Minister

for Irrigation Aqibullah, Additional Chief Secretary P&D Syed Imtiaz Hussain Shah and other officials concerned were also present on the occasion, said a hand out.

The chief minister stressed the need for introducing the GIS system for collection of “abiana” and other related taxes.

The chief minister said that it was the priority of his government to make this province self-sufficient in agricultural products. He directed the quarters concerned to introduce result-oriented research techniques in the agriculture sector and expedite work on the ongoing development projects.

“Chashma Right Bank Lift Canal (CRBC) project is of vital importance in this regard,” he said and added that this flagship project, once completed, would play a very important role in bringing millions of acres of barren land of southern districts under cultivation.

The chief minister also directed the authorities concerned to collect and compile realistic data of all small dams and command areas in the province and said that the Irrigation Department should pay special attention to digitise all its affairs as early as possible.

The chief minister also directed all works departments to fix realistic timelines for the contracts of development projects, adding that the contractors would be responsible to ensure progress on the projects as per stipulated timelines.

Earlier, the chief minister was given a detailed briefing about the administrative affairs, development projects, reforms, future plans and other related matters of the department.Meanwhile, addressing a meeting of the Live Stock department, the chief minister said that there was a considerable potential in the livestock sector to create employment opportunities and to increase income of the province as well.