Sindh govt rushes supplies to drought-hit areas

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Friday announced to distribute 1,20,000 bags of wheat among the drought-hit population of Tharparkar district and providing medicine worth ten million rupees besides giving compensation of Rs. 2,00,000 for each child died of this drought- like situation.
He also issued orders for suspension and arrest of Director Health, District Tharparkar and Medical Superintendent (MS) Mithi Hospital for criminal negligence of duties. According to official data, he said, 41 children have died in the area. The Chief Minister was briefing the media on drought-like situation in Tharparkar and on relief operations, here at the Chief Minister's House.
Sindh Minister for Information and Local Government, Sharjeel Inam Memon, Pakistan Peoples Party (Sindh) Secretary General, Taj Haider and some other PPP parliamentarians were also present.
Syed Qaim Ali Shah informed the media that 60,000 bags of wheat are available in godowns which were being sold to the people of Thar at fifty percent discount and the equal number of wheat bags were being added to the stock. Now, he added, these bags would be distributed among the affected people of Thar.
He said that a three member committee is being constituted to monitor implementation of the relief package for Thar. The committee will comprise a member of Sindh Assembly, an Assistant Commissioner and a local journalist, he said.
He said medicine amounting to Rs. 10 million is being immediately dispatched there and, if needed, more medicine will be procured.
He said the required medical equipment will be provided to the Mithi and other local hospitals to ensure proper analysis of the patients.
He said a team of senior doctors from Karachi is leaving for Tharparkar to help in treatment of the patients especially children in Thar.