Qaim reviews monsoon arrangements

KARACHI - Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah Tuesday presided over a high-level meeting here at the CM House regarding preparedness for monsoon and floods in the province and measures to be adopted in this regard under new local government system and police assistance. He directed the Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, officers and authorities under Local Government Department and Officers of Police Department to be vigilant in connection with monsoon season with heavy downpour and any possibility of floods in the province. The chief minister said that all preventive and precautionary measures be evolved to combat the situation including cleanliness of nallahs, drains and sewerage system. He further directed that emergency situation should be handled promptly while in case of any break down of electricity, alternate arrangements made in respective towns and cities. Syed Qaim Ali Shah also directed engineers, officers of Irrigation, administration and police department to exercise strict vigilance on flood protective bunds and all evolve precautionary measures to face any eventuality. He also directed health, livestock, and other relevant departments to make prompt measures for provision of health facility to people and livestock. The CM further directed that at the time of any emergency, the administration and police should utilize the services of prisoners. He also directed to have patrolling on bunds to check the situation. The participants of meeting also presented various proposals for combating the situation in connection with monsoon and floods in the province. The meeting was attended by Sindh Law Minister, Ayaz Soomro, Senior Member Board of Revenue Sindh, Ghulam Ali Shah Pasha, IG Police Sindh, Wajid Ali Durrani and other senior officials. Meanwhile, chairing another meeting, the chief minister directed the planning and development department and other relevant executing departments to propose, initiate, execute and complete the schemes and projects on urgent basis. He said that there should be proper planning and bifurcation of those schemes. He also directed the chief secretary Sindh to monitor all schemes and assign the responsibilities to each department. The CM further added that the year 2011-2012 has been declared as The Year of Development for Sindh and as such the schemes be initiated within time of one year. With regard to execution and monitoring of various schemes, Chief Minister Sindh clarified that as per newly and recent administrative changes, the deputy commissioners will act as Project Directors of those schemes and will execute the same in their respective district. The chief minister Sindh also directed that at least 20,000 Houses be constructed during two years viz 2011-12 and 2012-13 and the same will be given to flood affected people and poor and needy families. CM directed authorities to chalk out a comprehensive plan for this purpose, and the same will be discussed in joint meeting during the current month so as to finalise the schemes for the benefit of poor and needy people. Syed Qaim Ali Shah also directed to develop 50,000 plots of 80 square yards each for distribution among the poorest of poor. The matter will be decided up to 15th July. He said that roads play important role in development process, and the dual carriage road between Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas will be completed very soon. He said that Thar Coal and Energy Project is an important project and as an incentive of infrastructure, the road will be extended from Mirpurkhas to Digri. He said that special development packages have been initiated for Sukkur, Larkana, Karachi, Hyderabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Keamari, Lyari, Malir and Karachi East under developed areas and Karachi east. He informed that Thar coal and energy Board, Development of Zulfiqarabad, installation of 5 RO plants at Lyari Town and installation of 6 RO plants at Keamari Town being special projects have been provided major allocations. He informed that Rs 4000 million have been allocated for Rural Revitalisation initiative and 100 units of drinking water Hubs are being established in the province for which an amount of Rs: 1000.00 million have been allocated. Besides, women Development complexes are being established at Larkana, Khairpur and Mirpurkhas. Chief Minister Sindh further directed that a meeting will be held to assess that what could be done during the period of one year.

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