Islamabad, June 04, 2022 (PPI-OT):WAPDA should ensure timely payment of compensation amounts to the remaining affecttees of Mangla Dam and Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme K-IV be completed timely. These directions have been issued in the meeting of the Standing Committee on Water Resources.
The meeting was held in Parliament House under the Chairmanship of Nawab Muhammad Yousuf Talpur, MNA. The Standing Committee was informed that in order to increase the water capacity of Mangla Dam, in 2004-2005, it was decided to raise the Mangla Dam.
So, according to PC-I it was decided that land upto level of 1250 feet may be acquired for Mangla Dam. Accordingly, the land was acquired and compensation of the affecttees was made. Whole of the amounts available as per PC-I have been utilized. But several people knocked the door of the Courts with the request that the compensation being paid to them was much less than the market rate. So, Supreme Court of Azad Kashmir decided several cases in favour of the affecttees.
But due to non-availability of funds payments cannot be made to them. However, in order to address the issue a revised PC-I of about ten billion have been prepared and submitted for approval. Soon after approval of PC-I and release of payments the compensation amounts will be paid to the remaining affectees.
The Standing Committee directed that WAPDA should follow-up the PC-I on top priority and all of the payments be made to the remaining affectees as soon as possible. A local applicant namely Mr. Shakeel Ahmed appeared before the Committee and stated that his house is at risk due to water of Mangla Dam.
The Project Director, Mangla Dam was of the view that the house of the Applicant Mr. Shakeel Ahmed was outside 1250 feet. Mr. Shakeel Ahmed presented Third Reminder (03) No. MDRP/CLA Mirpur/135/2022 dated 1st March 2022 of Collector, Mangla Dam Affair, Government of Azad State of Jammu and Kashmir, Mirpur.
Whereby, the Collector requested the General Manager, Mangla Dam Organization to pay / compensate Mr. Shakeel Ahmed as WAPDA had already paid to Pir Baya, Village Khatar Dilawar Khan, Tehsil Dhadhyal, and District Mirpur whose houses were also outside the level of 1250 feet.
After examined the relevant record the Standing Committee directed that WAPDA should look into the matter and properly compensate and give relief to Mr. Shakeel Ahmed and furnish the compliance report to the Committee forthwith.
The Standing Committee was informed that to fulfill the water needs of most populous city of the country i.e. Karachi the Government decided to complete K-IV project. Due to passage of several years the project could not be completed. However, on 21-01-2022 a revised and modified PC-I of the project amounting to Rs. 126404.751 million have been approved by ECNEC. Now, the project shall be completed in October/November, 2023.
The comprehensive works is being carried out rapidly. However, there is a need that the Provincial Government should also work to fulfill their responsibilities. The Standing Committee recommended that all Stakeholders should complete their targets timely and the K-IV should be completed according to the timeline given in the PC-I.
The meeting of the Standing Committee on Water Resources was presided over by its Chairman Nawab Muhammad Yousuf Talpur and attended by the Members of National Assembly; Sardar Riaz Mahmood Khan Mazari, Ms. Wajiha Qamar, Mr. Khalid Hussain Magsi, Mr. Riaz-ul-Haq and Mr. Afreen Khan.
The meeting was also attended by the Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Secretary, Irrigation, Punjab, Minister, Irrigation Department, Sindh, Chairman and Members, IRSA and senior officers of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation Department.
For more information, contact:
Secretary,
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre, National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk