Sindh caretaker CM orders registration of FIRs against water theft

Police asked to support, cooperate with irrigation department in process


Our Correspondent June 12, 2018
PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: Caretaker Chief Minister Fazlur Rehman directed the irrigation department to take strict action against water theft by registering FIRs so water can be provided to the farmers of the tail end areas.

He took this decision on Monday while presiding over a joint meeting of the agriculture and irrigation departments at CM House. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Rizwan Memon, Agriculture Minister Khair Muhammad Junejo, Minister Irrigation Mushtaq Shah, Principal Secretary to the CM Sohail Rajput, Irrigation Secretary Jamal Shah, Agriculture Secretary Sajid Jamal Abro and others.

The CM directed the irrigation department to start registering FIRs against those involved in water theft. He also directed the police department, through the chief secretary, to support and cooperate with the irrigation department officials in stopping water theft by registering cases.

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Rehman said the water position in the Indus River has improved to some extent but its benefits have not trickled down to the small farmers, particularly the tail enders.

"This is an issue of the management and distribution of water," he said, adding that the shortage should also be shared by all the farmers and people living at the head of canals.

Memon said there were reports of water theft and illegal pumping of water, which is why water did not reach the tail end. The irrigation and agriculture ministers concurred with the chief secretary.

The irrigation secretary said that the water position, which was 35,000 cusecs in the last week, reached 41,457 cusecs on Sunday and is improving by the day.

Sharing the water withdrawal position, he said the Desert and Pat Feeder canals withdraw 4,842 cusecs, Ghotki Feeder 4,608, North Western Canal 2,040, Rice Canal 1,500, Dadu Canal 1,900, Nara Canal 8,850, Khairpur East Feeder 1,240, Rohri Canal 8,850, Khairpur West Feeder 1,060, Kalri Baghar Feeder 2,450, Akram Wah Canal 640, Pinyari 1,370 and New Phuleli 2,125 cusecs of water.

 

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