Page 76 - Muzaffargarh Gazzetteer

Consolidated villages/revenue estates
Tehsil No. of Villages
1 Muzaffargarh 367
2 Kot Addu 249
3 Alipur & Jatoi 168
Total 784

Under consolidation villages/revenue estates

Tehsil No. of Villages
1 Muzaffargarh 07
2 Kot Addu 05
3 Jatoi 03
4 Alipur 10
Total 25

Thal Development Authority
The idea to develop Thal goes back to the year 1870. This had been postponed
from time to time in favour of more lucrative projects in the former Punjab at
that time. It was after the partition, i.e. in 1949, that the Government decided
to set up an autonomous body, Thal Development Authority (TDA), to
undertake development and colonization of Thal in a coordinated manner.
The TDA prepared a scheme to develop an area of 893,591 acres (6 lacs to be
acquired from big land owners and 293,591 transferred by the State).
Leaving 281,552 acres for forests, mandis, canals, roads, charaghas, and
departmental reserves etc. 44,000 refugees families were to be settled
The scheme, however, underwent modifications from time to time and the
TDA was left to develop 814,476 acres (374,807 acres State land and the rest
acquired from local owners and evacuee owners). Besides State land, Rakhs
outside irrigation boundary covering an area of 206,826 acres were also
placed at its disposal for colonization and management.

Out of the total land transferred by the State or acquired by the TDA, 340,202
acres were situated in the then District Muzaffargarh. The TDA carved out
chaks, developed land for agricultural purposes, constructed water courses
and water ways, established mandi towns, built roads, and extended
education and medical facilities within area of its jurisdiction. The TDA even

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