Chief Secretary Naveed Akram Cheema said on Wednesday that 70 water tanks – each having a capacity of 50,000 litres – would be installed in Cholistan.
Presiding over a meeting to plan for any eventuality in Cholistan, the chief secretary said the water tanks were part of a plan to provide drinking water to the people.
He said all government departments should work together to facilitate the people of the region.
“Fortunately, the situation in Cholistan is much better compared to Tharparkar… all government officials should continue to perform their duties honestly,” he said.
Cheema directed the Health Department to ensure that doctors were present at all times at basic health centres. “Strict action should be taken against absentee doctors,” he added.
He said mobile dispensaries should be sent to areas far from towns. “Everyone should have the right to seek medical treatment.”
He said arrangements should also be made to vaccinate livestock.
The chief secretary approved a project to clean tobas (ponds) in Cholistan with help from the Department of Range Management.
Commissioner Captain (r) Asadullah Khan said four medical camps and four livestock camps had been established in Cholistan where 850 people and more than 8,000 animals had been treated.
He said 52,000 gallons water was being provided to the people through that tobas under four water supply schemes.
“There is no immediate danger of food shortage or spread of contagious diseases in any part of the Cholistan,” he added.
MPA Khalid Jajja told the meeting water supply to several areas in Cholistan had stopped because transformers were being stolen.
Chaudhry Saud Majeed, the chief minister’s coordinator for the region, said a system should be developed for provision of fodder to livestock in Cholistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 20th, 2014.