950805

PM announces

Rs 100m grant

for Nullah Dek

rechannelling

WAHANDOO: Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto here on Saturday announced grant of Rs.100 million for the remodelling and rechannelling of Nullah Dek in Tehsil Kamoki, so that the water resource is used beneficially and flash floods could be avoided.

She made the announcement in the wake of a proposal made by MNA Abdulllah Virk.

The Prime Minister had enquired as to what could be the advantage of rechannelling of Nullah Dek, to which, Virk replied: "Mohtarma: the devastation being witnessed in the wake of flash floods could be overcome".

He said, though this whole scheme could cost Rs.200 crore, an initial grant of Rs.10 crore could help in remedying the situation sizeably.

After completion, this project of Nullah Dek, lakhs of acres in the four districts of Narowal, Sialkot, Gujranwala and Sheikhupura will be saved from future floods of this magnitude.

Earlier, the Prime Minister expressed her displeasure over the non-availability of figures on human and material losses suffered in the wake of floods in Punjab. "The Relief Commissioner should have known these figures on finger tips", she stated.

The Relief Commissioner stated that the rains and floods have made it impossible to compile authentic figures. The same were, however, now being finalized.-APP