PM Ashraf calls for workable solution to hill torrents
23 September, 2012
ROJHAN MAZARI: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Saturday announced to utilise all resources to reach out to the flood-hit people and called for finding a permanent solution to control the hill torrents from the Suleman Mountains. He was addressing a public meeting at Rojhan Mazari, a flood-hit area of Rajanpur District, after getting a briefing from officials about the damage to life and property by the hill torrents triggered by monsoon rains over the Suleman Mountain Range. The prime minister ordered for finding out a workable solution of the hill torrents by building channels and protective walls and asked the experts to work out a detailed plan to help avert losses in future. He also distributed ration bags among the affected people and announced compensation of Rs 400,000 each for families of 15 persons, who died in the recent floods. Raja announced that the federal government would extend help to all the flood-hit people in two phases, relief and rehabilitation. "In the first phase, the government will provide food, tents, medicines and all other necessary items to the people," he added. The prime minister ordered officials to ensure an uninterrupted supply of relief goods and announced a sum of Rs 100 million for the purpose. Raja said that the compensation for damaged houses and affected crops, and rehabilitation would be the part of the second phase. Raja said the federal and provincial governments had already sent relief goods, including dry food, tents and other essential items to the affected areas. He expressed grief over the damage caused by the hill torrents in Rajanpur and promised complete support to the people. The prime minister, however, highlighted the need for a permanent solution to the hill torrent problem. He said that he had asked the WAPDA engineers to visit the hill torrents' route and suggest measures for its dredging and strengthening so that water should only pass through its natural passage without damaging life and property. Raja said that the federal government was collecting data of losses and a big compensation package would be announced. End.
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