‘Rs 3.5bn released for relief of rain-hit people’

The Sindh government has released Rs.3.5 billion for the relief and rehabilitation of the disaster-stricken people of the province so far, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said on Monday.
“This money includes Rs.2.5 billion meant for relief goods and Rs 1 billion that would be distributed through Watan Cards,” he said while presiding over a meeting at the Chief Minister’s House on the provision of funds to the districts affected by recent heavy rains.
According to an official handout, the chief minister said that the provincial government has released one-third of the budgetary allocation to all districts and there are certain areas where development work could be initiated.
“Development work should be initiated on the right bank of the Indus River and the River progress in these areas needs to be expedited,” he added.
The chief minister said that following the recent heavy rains, the province has suffered huge losses. “Out of 23 districts, 13 suffered heavy damages and the provincial government has made all efforts to rescue and provide relief to the affected people.”
The participants of the meeting were informed that there are eight reverse osmosis plants functioning in Badin district, a summary for the purchase and installation of 32 more plants has been approved and a three -member committee will select the sites for this purpose.
The chief minister directed the officials concerned that a statement of losses incurred so far following the rains and floods should be assessed and submitted to him in the next meeting.
Provincial Finance Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Rehabilitation Minister Haji Muzaffar Shujra, Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Livestock Minister Mir Abid Jatoi, Chief Secretary Raja Muhammad Abbas, Sindh Board of Revenue senior member Shahzar Shamoon, Additional Chief Secretary (Planning and Development) Malik Israr, Finance Secretary Naveed Kamran Baloch, Health Secretary Rizwan Ahmed, Livestock Secretary Laeeq Ahmed Memon and Provincial Disaster Management Authority Director General Saleh Farooqui attended the meeting.