Chamber criticises artificial water shortage

HYDERABAD: The Sindh Chamber of Agriculture (SCA) has decided to go to court against what it called an ‘artificial’ water shortage in the Nara Canal, created by the irrigation department.

At their meeting chaired by its president, Syed Nadeem Qamar, on Friday, the chamber accused officers at the irrigation department of allowing lift machines and direct watercourses. The SCA asked the government to set up a judicial committee to investigate the shortage. They requested members of the Sindh Assembly to raise their voice against direct watercourses so that water rotation can be stopped and every grower can get water for his or her lands.

Officials were also concerned about the increase in the rate of fertiliser that is now being sold in the market at Rs900 per bag. They demanded a reduction in price so that growers can afford it.

Members also asked the government to help the people of Thatta and Badin as the cyclone is expected to hit the coast in a day or two. The meeting was attended by Mir Murad Ali Talpur, Muhammad Anwar Bachani, Muhammad Khan Sarejo, Mir Imdad Talpur, Nabi Bux Sathio, Nawaz Ali Samejo, Syed Aijaz Nabi and Qadir Bux Mari.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 5^th, 2010.