KARACHI, Sept 29: Sindh Irrigation Secretary Mohammad Hashim Laghari on Saturday issued directives for immediate stoppage of “water theft” in the province.

Presiding over a meeting of the Irrigation Department officials, he asked all the irrigation engineers and subordinate staff to strictly follow rules and regulations of the Irrigation Act and manual for ensuring judicious distribution of water.

The secretary also asked the officials to ensure presence of “module book” at all distributaries, regulators and water course and perform their duties according to these rules.

He was of the view that unless these rules and regulations were strictly followed, public complaints would continue to rise and the grower would not get irrigation water according to their share.

Mr Laghari also issued directives for ensuring presence of irrigation staff at all major canals, regulators, distributaries and water courses to ensure that water was supplied through proper gauge for eliminating theft.

He asked engineers to prepare schemes for the repair and rehabilitation of canals, distributaries, water courses as well as their desilting to prevent water wastage.

He also asked them to prepare emergency plan to deal any breach in all major and minor canals.

The secretary made it clear that “water theft” should immediately be stopped and every farmer should get a just share of water.

Laghari said that he would pay surprise visits to various canals, distributaries and water courses to see that his orders were fully implemented. He warned that negligence would not be tolerated and action would be taken against those found neglecting their duties.—APP