HYDERABAD, April 28: The Sindh Agriculture Forum (SAF) has demanded that regular water supply to minors and distributaries of the Rohri Canal should be restored.

In a statement issued here on Monday, SAF president Noor Ahmad Nizamani criticized the irrigation staff of the Rohri Canal command area for creating water shortage.

He said the canal was getting full supply of water but due to mismanagement of the water supply system, the area was facing an acute shortage of water.

He regretted that growers of the Bilori Minor had not been supplied water for more than one month as a result crops and orchards, fed by the minor, were being destroyed.

Mr Nizamani said growers of the Ghotana Distributary and the Bilori Minor were not supplied water.

He said breaches had occurred in the Sui Kander Minor, Hala division, several times due to the inefficiency of the irrigation staff.

He stressed the need for bringing about reforms in the irrigation system.

Hailing the Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority for better management of minors and distributaries and collecting 82 per cent of Abyana (water tax), the SAF president said the NARA Canal Pilot Project was underway and the authority had formed about 140 farmers’ organizations.

He expressed concern over Sindh irrigation officials’ consent to share water meant for Kotri downstream area with Punjab.

He demanded implementation of the 1991 Water Accord to resolve the water issue.