HAFIZABAD
Growers of over a dozen villages, whose standing wheat crops were destroyed due to heavy rains and hailstorms about four months back, expressed their resentment over the non-payment of compensation to them by the government and black-marketing of urea.
The villagers of Kotli Amir Singh, Muradian, Kot Gora, Sagar and other adjoining areas said that district officers had visited the villages to estimate the losses caused due to severe hailstorms and rains and had assured them that they would be provided compensation. However, the villagers said, no action had so far been taken in this regard. They called upon the government and district administration to fulfill their promise.
PROFITEERS CHALLANED: The special price magistrates in the district have challaned 408 profiteers and collected total fine of Rs321,020 from them during July. Meanwhile, they warned the profiteers to desist from violating Price Control Act and display price-lists at their premises conspicuously to avoid punitive action.
Meanwhile, growers of Hafizabad district strongly condemned the black-marketing of urea and called upon the district administration to save the growers from being fleeced at the hands of dealers.
Addressing press conference, Amanullah Chatha, the president of Kisan Board Gujranwala division, pointed out that urea price has been fixed at Rs1815 whereas it was being sold at Rs2,000. He said that loadshedding has already broken the back of growers and sale of urea at exorbitant rate has further created problems for them.
ANTI-FLOOD PLAN: All-out efforts would be made to save human lives and properties in case of flood in the river Chenab and Nullah, DCO Muhammad Usman declared. While reviewing the arrangements being made by the district administration to meet any eventuality due to flood, he said,
“Although it is impossible for the human beings to contain the natural calamity, we should prepare comprehensive strategy to ensure to minimum loss during the flood.”
He said that concerned officers should perform their duties with commitments and according to the anti-flood plan and on the directions of the district flood control room and warned that no negligence would be tolerated in this respect.
Additional District Collector Nouman Hafeez and focal person Saeed Ahmad Khan told the meeting that in case of high flood in the Chenab, 3 lakh population of 154 villages and 2 lakh acres of land might be affected. They also said that District Control Room has been set up in the District Complex and general public has advised to intimate flood- related complaints to it at phone No. 0547-523351. The meeting was attended by all the Heads of different departments.
WAPDA TEAM BEATEN UP: A Wapda team was beaten up by villagers of Thatha Gahra. The police have registered a case against Rai Gulzar Ahmad, superintendent of education department, Zaigham Abbas, Muhammad Afzal and Muhammad Aslam.
According to police source, a Wapda team including Imran, Nasrullah, Riasat, Asghar Ali and Qamar Abbas raided village Thatha Gahra to disconnect illegal connection of tubewell motors. Thereupon the accused pounced upon them and tortured them and also hurled threats of dire consequences.