HYDERABAD, March 29: DCO Mohammad Sharif Awan has constituted a six-member technical committee to complete the lining of watercourses in the district under the National Programme for Improvement of Watercourses by June.

The team, headed by the EDO, agriculture, was constituted at a meeting held here on Tuesday which reviewed the progress of work on the lining of watercourses in the district.

The DCO said that out of 173 applications received, 110 farmers’ associations had been registered with the district government and technical sanction had been issued to 75 of them.

He said that against the target of 54, the lining of 10 watercourses had been completed and work on 31 watercourses was in progress. In addition to this, he said, earth work on 50 watercourses was nearing completion and, as such, the district government would meet the target by the end of June.

He directed officers concerned to expedite the development work and maintain quality in work and the bed level of watercourses, especially at the point of outlets of canals/distributaries.

The DCO said that of the released amount of Rs12.04 million, Rs9.97 million had been utilized by the programme implementing agency of the district government, adding that more funds up to Rs7 million would be released to complete the remaining work.

He said that in addition to lining of watercourses, awareness about efficient utilization of water should also be ensured to boost up agro-production and avoid water losses.

He said that awards would be given to farmers’ associations which completed lining of their watercourses on time and in a proper manner.

The EDO, agriculture, Shahabuddin Siddiqui, said the watercourse lining project was being monitored continuously to ensure quality of work. He said farmers were being motivated to participate in the work.

SCIENCE FAIR: Jamshoro District Nazim Malik Asad Sikandar has announced that a new building of the Government Girls’ High School, Kotri, will be constructed at a cost of Rs8 million.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of a three-day science fair in the premises of the school on Tuesday, he said funds had been allocated for the project in the budget.

He also announced a grant of Rs25,000 for the school.

DCO Dr Mohammad Khawar Jamil announced cash awards of Rs5,000, Rs3,000 and Rs2,000 respectively for first three winners of the fair.

HUNGER STRIKE: Activists of the Pakistan People’s Party-SB observed a token hunger strike outside the press club here on Wednesday as part of the “Bhutto week.”

They also demanded retrial of the case of the late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.