February 07, 2009	Saturday	Safar 11, 1430

DADU, Feb 6: Inequitable distribution of irrigation water has affected wheat and cotton crops standing on thousands of acres of land at the tail end of Dadu Canal and Johi Branch. This was revealed in a survey conducted by this correspondent.

It came to notice that Dadu Canal was receiving six feet and two inches against the share of seven feet and two inches and Johi Branch six feet out of its share of eight feet at 95 Mile regulator near Sita town.

Pahore waterway originating from Johi Branch was badly affected as crops standing on hundreds of acres land had been damaged.

An affected grower of Pahore waterway, Khair Mohammad Leghari could only cultivate wheat and cotton crops on 100 acres out of 3,000 acres. He alleged irrigation officials of selling water to influential growers at the head of Johi Branch hence water courses 7R, 8R, 11L, 12L lay dry. Patoro waterway originating from Johi Branch too, was not receiving its water share.

Ahmed Ali, a grower of watercourse No 6L, said that could not receive water for the last 30 days on standing 50 acres wheat crop. He feared damage to wheat crop just because of the artificially-created water shortage and complained that officials concerned were not responding. He appealed to the Sindh Irrigation Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to take notice of the situation while threatening hunger strike outside the mausoleum of Benazir Bhutto.

Urs Panhwar of watercourse No10R of Patoro waterway had faced the loss of wheat crop standing on 40 acres due to water shortage. Mehar Khan Gadhi of watercourse No 10L of Patoro waterway said that cotton crop on 150 acres was confronting acute water scarcity since last 20 days.

Ghulam Ali Khan Shahani complained that Chhinni waterway was affected where thousands of acres of wheat and cotton crop had dried up. He said that people were facing shortage of drinking water.

Khudabad waterway was also facing shortage. Ibrahim Panhwar said that wheat and cotton crops standing on 5,000 acres at the tail-end would be affected.

Noor Mohammad Channa of Phakka waterway said that due to water shortage he could cultivate only 10 acres out of 500 acres. Tail end of Chhejani, Pahore Lakha, Noonari waterways also lay dry.

Growers had appealed to the authorities to ensure regular water supply in their area.

Situation in Bhan Syedabad and Sehwan sub-divisions of the Irrigation Department was no different.

When contacted, Executive Engineer Irrigation Saeed Ahmed Jagirani said that Dadu Canal and Johi Branch were not getting their share of water because of the shortage at Sukkur Barrage. . He said that he had asked senior officers to release complete share of water to meet the shortage at tail-end of Dadu canal and Johi branch.