Seeking justice: Farmers move court against water project

The Farmers Association has alleged that WISP officials, contractors distributed funds for projects among themselves.

BADIN:

The Farmers Association filed a case on Monday in the District and Sessions Court of Badin against the Water Improvement Sector Project (WISP).

WISP rehabilitates and strengthens canals and watercourses. The Farmers Association has alleged, however, that WISP officials and contractors distributed funds for projects among themselves, instead of spending them on the projects. They claimed that substandard material was used while strengthening Ali Wah, Padar Shakh, Bero Shakh, Shero Wah and other watercourses and they were also not de-silted properly. According to Mubarak Chandio, a farmer leader, old trees were cut from Ali Wah for construction and the watercourse was then closed.

However, Hizbullah Mangrio of the Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority said that the work on Ali Wah was stopped because the contractor asked for an extension in the deadline and an application has been sent to the relevant department. New trees will be planted soon and the WISP is actually working on the recommendations of the farmers, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 7^th, 2012.