LAHO RE - Punjab Irrigation Department is spending an amount of Rs 235 million on the execution of 866 different 'closer works' of 639 water channels for improving and maintaining of irrigation infrastructure in the province. Senior Minister Raja Riaz Ahmad stated this while presiding over a departmental meeting at his office here on Saturday. Representatives of PIDA and high-ups of the Irrigation Department also participated in the meeting and briefed about the details and nature of closer works. The meeting was informed that Rs 60 million for 216 closer works in Bahawalpur zone, Rs 39 million for 102 closer works in DG Khan zone, Rs 15 million for 121 closer works in Faisalabad zone, Rs 17 million for 48 closer works in Lahore zone, Rs 56 million for 216 closer works in Multan zone and Rs 45 million for 163 closer works in Sargodha zone have been provided. The meeting was informed that annual desilting campaign is going on in full swing and Rs 110 million have been provided for 2970 mile long 400 perennial canals while Rs 65.88 million have been provided for 1445 mile long 239 non-perennial canals. However, at least 8.08 lakh cubic feet silt will be removed from perennial canals while 5.05 lakh cubic feet silt will be excavated from non-perennial canals. Raja Riaz directed the officials to achieve the targets of desilting campaign adding that transparency in payments should be ensured. He asked the Irrigation department to develop foolproof mechanism to countercheck desilting details. The minister also directed that the water supplies should be of good quality, equitably distributed and meet the needs of all users through an efficient management, institutional and legal system.