Irrigation management transferred to farmers’ organisations

LAHORE: Managing Director Punjab Irrigation & Drainage Authority (Pida) and Secretary Irrigation Punjab, Malik Rab Nawaz has accorded approval to the transfer of irrigation management of water boards of Faisalabad and Bahawalnagar Canal Circles to farmers’ organisations (FOs), decided the 41st meeting of Pida.This was stated by General Manager (TM) Pida, Syed Zahid Ali, here on Saturday.Zahid said that the management of 66 distributaries in Lower Chenab Canal (East) Circle, Faisalabad and 69 distributaries in Bahawalnagar Canal Circle, will be transferred to Farmers Organisations which will manage, operate and maintain these as well as collection of water cess and perform all functions as per the Rule 18(2) of Pida pilot FOs Rules 2005.General Manager Pida further said that the management would be transferred for a period of six months and the agreement will be signed in the light of existing rules. The tenure of FOs will be extended after the approval of Revised Rules under finalisation of the government of Punjab – Brecorder