28 September 2004	Tuesday	12 Shaban 1425

KARACHI, Sept 27: The Sindh Assembly on Monday rejected the opposition's bid to move a resolution against the construction of Kalabagh dam though the government recognized that water situation at the moment had become precarious.

The government maintained that efforts were being made for a judicious distribution of the available water. Makhdoom Jameeluz Zaman of the PPP-P, after the debate on an adjournment motion on water issue, had asked for relaxing the relevant rules to enable him to move a resolution on the dam issue.

The motion for relaxing the rules was put to vote, but was rejected with a majority of 37 votes against 30. This prompted the opposition to criticize the government and accuse it of adopting deceitful stance on the vital issue of water.

Later, Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah prorogued the assembly after it threw its weight behind the 1991 water accord. In view of the gravity of the situation arising out of the opposition's uproar, question hour was suspended.

Winding up the debate, Irrigation Minister Nadir Akmal Leghari said that Irsa had indicated 10 per cent shortfall for Kharif crop but the shortage was more serious than what the people were told.

He said that until Sept 20, Sindh should have received 31.863 million acre feet (MAF) of water but it was provided with only 24.285 MAF. Mr Leghari said the government had taken up the matter with Irsa and other concerned quarters on this issue.

He said that at a meeting of the water committee chaired by prime minister, Punjab had stressed on distribution of water in accordance with the 1994 arrangement. He said that on Sindh's insistence, all the four chief ministers had agreed to close the chapter of 1994 arrangement.

By Sept 10, he added, Punjab had to finish its Kharif crop whereas Sindh needed water until Sept 25. He said that due to illegal water connections, the entire irrigation system was spoiled and only the rich and the influential figures had been imposing their will.

The minister revealed that water theft in Sukkur and Badin was on the high side. He declared that the government would take action against those involved without any consideration of their political affiliation.

He said that craters in the Sukkur barrage had been noticed in 1992 but officials of the irrigation department had hushed it up. He vowed to take punitive action against those responsible.

He said that the government had taken notice of the design fault in the Left Bank Out fall Drain (LBOD). In view of 60 per cent water shortage, he added, a plan for Rabi sowing had been prepared.

He said that the formula had been worked out on the basis of theavailability of water between Sept 26 and 30 and its distribution from Oct 1. All the concerned, including the Sindh Abadgar Board, Chamber of Agriculture and experts, were being consulted, he added.

Senior Minister Syed Sardar Ahmad was of the view that while there was a shortage of water, its distribution formula would not be judicious. He observed that amid the shortage, Punjab would cut down Sindh's share, although according to law, there should be a reduction in the share of all provinces. He was of the view that since Punjab was getting more water as compared to Sindh, the Punjab's share should also be deducted accordingly.

Senior PPP-P leader Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had given top priority to water distribution and had constituted the Council of Common Interests. But the present government had not yet reconstituted the CCI where complaints of such nature could be lodged and deliberated upon.

He maintained that the 1991 water accord was not in accordance with the Constitution but the PPP-P had accepted it. He cautioned the house that water shortage might be 'artificial', created to justify the construction of Kalabagh dam. He also criticized the chief minister for his failure in improving the water distribution system in the province.

Participating in the debate, Ms Shazia Ata Mari of PPP-P challenged the government that during the 1994 ministerial meeting, the then provincial government had supported the Greater Thal Canal.

She said that in the meeting, there was no agreement between Punjab and Sindh and despite assurance from the upper riparian province, water was provided to Sindh on the basis of 1994 ministerial meeting until 1999.

Dr Saeeda Malik said that water was everyone's problem and concern. She declared that there would be no sell out on the issue. Sassui Palejo asked the government to explain that on what conditions, the study of Kotri downstream would be conducted.

Syed Shakir Ali of the MQM said that water shortage issue would haunt the province until the feudal system was in place.Najam Abro, Karimdino Shirazi, Amjad Shah, Mir Mahboob Talpar, Heer Ismail Soho, Syed Sarfraz Shirazi, Anwar Ali Mahar and Nawab Wassan also took part in the debate.

Earlier, the Speaker reserved his ruling on the privilege motion of Nawab Wassan. The motion pertained to his detention at the Mirpurkhas taluka police station. Nawab Wassan was not in the house when his motion was taken up.

Law Minister Chaudhry Iftekhar Ahmed responded to the legal points that were raised by Syed Qaim Ali Shah, and said the matter was subjudice.The minister claimed that Nawab Wassan and others were going to Tharparkar with arms while Section 144 was in force due to by-elections. He said it was not a case of breach of privilege and should, therefore, be turned down.

Makhdoom Jameeluz Zaman raised a point of order saying that some people had illegally occupied a temple and its adjoining land in Tajpur area. Home minister Rauf Siddiqui assured the house that he would look into the matter.

Later, addressing a news conference, irrigation minister Nadir Akmal Leghari and law minister Chaudhry Iftekhar said that they had not opposed the resolution on Kalabagh dam but against the request for taking it up out of turn.