HYDERABAD: Calamity-affected areas notified
HYDERABAD, Nov 23: The Sindh revenue department has declared the Diplo taluka, seven dehs of the Mithi taluka and Naukot calamity-affected areas where standing Kharif crops were destroyed due to heavy rains in July and August 2003.
A notification issued by the revenue secretary announced 100 per cent remission in land tax and agricultural income tax for 39 dehs of the Diplo taluka; which included, Serhi, Bhitaro, Phant, Dodharo, Diplo, Sajai, Sobhiar, Melinhar, Peerluri, Turkiar, Dohar, Kounral, Wingi, Paneli, Chahichapro, Verhat, Soomrasar, Balihari, Thuhar Chaho, Talo, Sandook, Saram, Sadhoi, M.Lashari, Laari, Dengario, K.Rahmtul, Bohari, Chapanhar, Dabaro, Tando Naizi, Khetlari, Chachi, Jangh, Nabisar, Sadio, Sengario, Rajahar and Hamirabeh.
Naokot Deh was also granted 100 per cent remission in taxes and 50 per cent remission was granted to seven dehs - Chhaho, Bakhuo, Jhun, Mithi, Pabuhar, Lakhmiar and Giryanchho - of the Mithi taluka.
CONFERENCE: Vice chancellor of the University of Sindh, Mazharul Haq Siddiqui, has said that investment in education, health and social sector by the federal and provincial governments is essential to raise the standard of living that is declining in the province for the last few years, mainly because of water shortage.
Speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of a three-day national conference on 'Agriculture and Animal Science', organized by the Sindh Agriculture University here on Tuesday, he said that water shortage, water logging, salinity and reduction in range lands were great challenges for scientists as well as universities of the country, specially because 70 per cent of the rural population lived below the poverty line.
There was a dire need to develop and introduce technology to sustain and increase agricultural productivity and elevate the socio-economic standard of the farming community, he said.
He said that challenges faced by farmers could be addressed through efficient utilization of available water, introduction of crops and cropping systems to suit water availability status and adoption of high efficiency in irrigation system.
The 700km-long coastal area was full of marine resources, but, unfortunately, the resources were under threat owing to disposal of toxic wastes and erratic flow of water downstream Kotri, he said and added that the situation required integrated coastal area management plans to recycle industrial waste and civic effluent.