Drying up: Growers complain of water shortage

SUKKUR: Scores of growers staged a protest demonstration and sit-in outside the office of the irrigation engineer in Mirpur Mathelo on Tuesday against the water shortage in Narli and Shah minors. They were led by Usman Mahar and Mir Ahmed Mahar, who explained that the acute water shortage in the minors, which originate from the Ghotki feeder, was making it difficult for farmers to sow the wheat crop. The protesters alleged that irrigation officials were selling water to influential landowners and depriving others of their share. They ended their protest after two hours since the engineer was unavailable and warned of another sit-in if authorities failed to take notice of the shortage. Meanwhile, the Sukkur barrage chief engineer has announced that all the off-taking canals of the barrage will be closed for annual repair and maintenance from January 6 to January 20.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17^th, 2014.