LAHORE: The Punjab Irrigation Department has joined hands with Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) to introduce e-Abiana, a digital mechanism for the automation of water payment collection system and fines through the PITB developed e-Pay Punjab system.
In this regard, PITB Chairman Azfar Manzoor and Secretary Irrigation Capt (r) Saif Anjum signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the presence of Punjab IT & Higher Education Minister Raja Yasir Hamayun and Punjab Irrigation Minister Mohsin Khan Leghari. PITB Director General (IT Operations) Faisal Yousaf was also present on the occasion.
Raja Yasir Hamayun said that the e-Abiana project would digitalize the system of recoveries from farmers in the form of water tax. It would, in particular, enable the department ensure transparency and make revenue collection easier, he added.
Mohsin Khan Leghari noted that in Punjab alone, the calculated amount of Abiana (water tax) was almost Rs4 billion per annum. “The primary objective of e-Abiana is to develop a technology-based solution to generate transparency for collecting Abiana from the farmers.”
PITB Chairman Azfar Manzoor said that in future, integration of e-Abiana through e-Pay would enable occupiers pay water taxes and fines through all bank branches across Pakistan and via all digital channels of e-Pay.
