Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah insisted on Tuesday that the development budget will not be curtailed for utilisation on rescue and relief of the population affected by torrential rains in the province but the work on schemes may be postponed for up to two months due to flooding.
He said this while presiding over a high-level meeting at the Chief Minister’s House on Tuesday regarding rain emergency, relief and rehabilitation.
“As far as funds for development schemes are concerned there have been no cuts. However, the work will start after two months as most of the areas are submerged and no developmental work can be initiated currently,” said the chief minister.
Regarding losses to crops, Qaim said that a joint meeting of Agriculture Department and office bearers of Abadgar organisations will be soon held to assess the losses and inquire about the viewpoints and problems of growers.
“The province is facing a huge disaster with heavy losses of human lives, cattle and crops together with damages to other infrastructure including houses, roads and government buildings.”
He maintained that all out efforts will be made to provide immediate relief to affected people in this time of test for government and administration.
Qaim said that he had accompanied a team of ministers to the four badly-affected districts of Tando Allahyar, Mirpurkhas, Badin and Tando Muhammad Khan and personally witnessed the losses, problems and grievances of the people.
“Keeping in view the damages and flooding, there is acute need of food for affected families on one side and clean drinking water on the other on immediate basis to save the lives and protect them from diseases.”
Shah also directed the Livestock, Health, Local Government and Revenue departments to make coordinated efforts and take measures to combat the situation and provide prompt facilities for relief and rehabilitation of affected people and areas.
He also announced that legal heirs of bread earners, who died due to heavy rains, will be paid Rs 200,000 as compensation while the dependents of non-bread earners will be paid Rs 100,000 each.
Directing the Sindh Local Government Department to ensure draining of water from various localities and towns, Qaim ordered the Provincial Disaster Management Authority and other relevant departments to arrange dewatering pumps and prepare ‘Peoples Relief Cards’ with compensation of Rs 10,000 per damaged house to the heads of affected families.