First compensation to flood victims before Eid

Toba Tek Singh DCO transferred for mismanagement.

LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday visited villages affected by floods in Sheikhupura, Narowal and Muridke Road and took part in relief operations.

He distributed relief items at Head Muhammadwala, Shujaabad and Sher Shah.

He also visited Tiba Kot Yaqoob, Khankot, Batolawan, Dost Muhammad and adjacent villages on Narowal-Muridke Road. He met flood victims and inquired about their problems.

Addressing calamity-hit families, Sharif said the government had devoted a large amount of resources for their rehabilitation.

He warned against negligence and said it would not be tolerated.

Commenting on the political deadlock in Islamabad, he said Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan had forgotten those affected by floods. He urged Khan to end his sit-in.

Sheikhupura DCO Ali Jan told the chief minister that 13 people had died due to floods in Sheikhupura. He said compensation had been given to families of 11 people.

He said rations weighing 800,000 kilogrammes had been distributed so far. He said nearly 1 million cattle had been vaccinated. He said 11 boats were taking part in rescue and relief operations in the district.

The chief minister took notice of mismanagement in the distribution of rations at the relief camp in Peer Mehal. He suspended the assistant commissioner and transferred the Toba Tek Singh DCO.  Sharif also reviewed the flood situation in Muzaffargarh and Multan. Talking newsmen in Multan, he said the government had allocated Rs10 million for each flood-hit district.

He said dewatering pumps and boats should be sent to flood-hit areas from places where they were not needed.

Sharif said a survey of damage to property and crops in flood-hit areas had started and losses would be compensated.

He said digital technology would be used for correct assessment of losses and the first installment of compensation would be paid before Eid.

He said repair of damaged roads was a top priority of the government. The CM presided over a meeting of the cabinet committee on flood which reviewed relief activities.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15^th, 2014.