24 July 2004	Saturday	06 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

MIRPURKHAS, July 23: There is an acute water shortage in the command area of Nara canal, badly affecting crops of cotton, sugarcane, chilli and onion.

The water level decreased in the Indus river as a result supply to its off-taking canals at the Sukkur Barrage had been reduced.

The irrigation authorities are planning imposition of rotation programme to ensure water supply to tail-end areas. The growers, however, alleged that injudicious distribution of water by the irrigation department had caused water shortage.

Over 200 growers of the Khai distributary took out a procession against water shortage in tail-end areas and farmers' organzations also held a demonstration outside the office of Taluka Municipal Administration, Pithoro.

Speaking on the occasion, Ashique Hussain, Aman Sand, Ramchand Khatri and others said thousands of acres of agriculture lands at the tail-end had rendered barren due to a shortage of water.

They said despite their complaints no irrigation official was ready to take legal action against illegal watercourses. They urged authorities to ensure preparation of rotation programme in consultation with farmers' representatives.

WATERCOURSES: At least six tempered watercourses on Akota distributary were recently sealed for a week by rangers and irrigation officials.