Water levels recede as theft skyrockets

25,790 cases of water theft were reported during 2018

LAHORE:  

There has been a surge in incidents of water theft in seven districts of Punjab including the provincial capital. Reportedly, authorities have been negligent in cracking down on thieves. As a result, only 36 individuals out of 25,709 have been apprehended.

Data from the Irrigation Department shows that water theft in the province has become a major issue causing the department losses worth millions. Further, tail-end farmers are left without water for their crops and are forced to install expensive tube wells.

The Irrigation Department regularly cracks down on water thieves in the province. However, individuals, in collusion with the police, are able to roam free despite the cases registered against them.

Data from the Irrigation Department shows that 25,790 incidents of water theft were recorded in 2018. However, the police only registered an FIR against 1,947 people. However, police officials are not the only ones in on the deal. Allegedly, some officials from the Irrigation Department are also helping individuals to steal water by breaking water pipelines and redirecting the flow of water.

In Bahawalpur Division, 19,076 cases of water theft were reported while cases were registered against 1,778 people 25 of which have been arrested. In Dera Ghazi Khan, 2,334 people were caught stealing water. However, FIRs were registered against 122 people while only 11 were arrested.

Meanwhile in Faisalabad, 190 cases of water theft were reported and cases were registered against 34 people but no action was taken against them. Similarly, 1,016 incidents of water theft were reported in Lahore but no FIR was registered against the individuals.

A total 390 cases of water theft were reported at Lower Bari Doab Canal but not a single case was registered. Around 2,109 people were caught stealing water in Multan but no action was taken against them. Similarly, 594 cases of theft were reported in Sargodha and 13 FIRs were registered in this regard. But not a single person was arrested.

Sources from the Irrigation Department say that they regularly crackdown on water theft. But these people strike a deal with police officials and are able to walk free without any facing any consequences.

Moreover, these individuals are not fined their actions which results in a considerable financial loss for the department. Further, the actions of a select few are adversely impacting tail-end farmers who have to install expensive tube wells in order to irrigate their crops which becomes an extra financial burden.