CM conducts aerial survey of locust infested fields

Buzdar says government has released Rs1b to fight infestation

RAHIM YAR KHAN: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Friday took an aerial view of Rahim Yar Khan, Rojhan, Bhong, Sadiqabad, Kot Sabzal and other areas to review the damage to the crops caused by locust attack.

The chief minister issued necessary directives to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) director general (DG) to avert further damage during the helicopter surveillance of the destroyed fields.

Buzdar ordered the authorities concerned to take every possible step to counter locusts that are wreaking havoc all over the province.

“Saving crops from locusts is the top priority of the government as it threatens food security of the country,” he said.

“All out efforts should be taken to prevent further destruction of crops,” the chief minister ordered.

He underlined that the provincial government had issued Rs1 billion to eliminate locusts from Punjab.

The chief minister also directed the authorities to extend the area whereupon locust spray will be conducted to exterminate these pests.

He further directed the concerned quarters to take prior steps to prevent more crops from falling prey to the swarms of the pest.

Moreover, the CM also reviewed the implementation of coronavirus prevention protocols and expressed concern over its violations in markets and other places.

He ordered strict compliance of the safety measures and said that law enforcement agencies would come into action if standard operating procedures (SOPs) are flouted.

SOPs have been designed to protect the lives of the citizens and therefore people must follow these protocols, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2020.