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Govt committed to farm sector development: Omar

HARIPUR: Federal Minister for Environment, Local Government and Rural Development Omar Asghar Khan has said the government is committed to the development of agriculture sector as well as farmers community.

He expressed these views while addressing a function during his inspection of the on-going canal desiltation task at Noor Colony on Khanpur road here on Friday.

The government, Omar said, is committed to delegate power to people at the grassroots level in order to involve the common man in decision making process.

He said devolution of powers at local levels and resolution of problems facing the farmers community are the top priorities of the government.

He said the districts would be provided budget for their developmental work. He said "we are negotiating with Asian Development Bank (ADB) for provision of funds for agriculture development schemes in the country."

He said the present government was emphasising on revival of the national economy.

He said the government was taking measures to improve the quality of life of the rural population by providing them with opportunities to improve their social economic conditions.

Incharge of the desiltation drive of the area Col. Azam Khan, Deputy Commissioner of Haripur, Mohammad Majid Khan Sadvozai, Assistant Commissioner of Haripur, Ata-ur-Rehman Lodhi, Convenor Desiltation Campaign Mohammad Azam, Administrator Municipal Corporation and a large number of people were also present on the occasion.

The minister said an efficient irrigation network is a pre-requisite for a green revolution and food autarky.

He commended the services of the Army jawans, civil administration, Anjuman-e-Zamindar and other concerned departments for efficiently accomplishing the national task on self-help basis and for completing the job before the target period.

Earlier Col Azam Khan briefed the minister on the gigantic desiltation work underway in the district. He said out of total length of 49 miles canals, the desilting work on 39 miles has been completed. The remaining work would be completed before January 25.

He said solid steps would be taken for smooth supply of water, seeds, pesticides and fertilizers to the farmers of the area. APP