Aulakh orders crackdown against water thieves, timber mafia

MULTAN: Punjab minister for agriculture, livestock, forests, fisheries, irrigation, communications and works Malik Ahmad Ali Aulakh has ordered a crackdown against water thieves and timber mafia.

Presiding over a joint meeting of different departments at the local circuit house, the minister expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of the forests officials and ordered them to take special steps to check timber theft. He directed that checkposts be set up at all the timber markets and mobile teams should regularly visit forests, canals and roads to check illegal tree cutting, says an official release.

The Minister said that he had come to know through reliable sources that there was surge in timber theft incidents during last two to three months with reports of involvement of corrupt officials.

Aulakh ordered chief conservator to prepare a record of saplings prepared at the government nurseries during last four years and submit a detailed report within three days on the impact of plantation campaigns undertaken during last few years.

Chief conservator Multan zone Sheikh Mohammad Arshad informed the minister that a sum of Rs 1.2 billion was being deposited in the government account through auction of old trees every year.

The minister ordered chief engineer irrigation, SE and Xen to conduct regular visits to the rural areas and maintain a close liaison with growers to know about their problems.

He urged officials to regularly attend open Katcheries of growers at UC level and ensure that water should reach till tails of the water courses.

He also directed officials to maintain complete record of water theft cases and impose heavy fines on the violators.

EDO agriculture Sardar Mohammad Akbar Khan said that early BT cotton varieties were sown over 10 per cent of the cotton cultivated area and their germination strength was noted at 50 to 60 per cent. He said that thirteen teams have been formed to provide on-farm training to growers in 418 Mozas.

The minister ordered that EDO agriculture should coordinate with federal seed certification department, and Punjab Seed Corporation to take action against the seed mafia to ensure availability of only the registered seed varieties in the market for enhanced agriculture production.

Aulakh also ordered seminars and training courses in rural areas to enable cattle rearers enhance their milk and meat production.

Chief engineer irrigation Multan informed that water would be released in bi-annual canals from April 15 and a rotation schedule would be prepared for suitable availability of water.