KARACHI, June 2: Rangers personnel have been deployed in certain areas of the province to check water theft and inspect modules in the wake of complaints of water theft which has appeared to be the main reason behind the non-availability of water in tail-end areas.

This was stated by Sindh Minister for Irrigation and Power Nadir Akmal Khan Leghari at a press conference held here on Thursday.

The minister had, earlier, held a meeting with chief engineers and superintending engineers and reviewed performance of the irrigation department.

Mr Leghari pointed out that from day one, adequate supply of irrigation water to tail-enders had been a challenge to him. He said that water had now reached to the areas which had not been getting the same for long. However, he acknowledged, complaints in this regard were still being received and the deficit areas included the Rohri and Nara divisions.

In order to overcome the problem, a campaign was launched for augmentation of the system’s capacity to carry water, although it has not yet reached the desired level only for want of a huge investment. At some places, water is being supplied in rotation due to the low capacity and water theft.

Keeping in view the situation, a campaign had been initiated to enlist those found involved in tampering with the supply network.

They were served notices and warned of checking of their modules by the Rangers.

He said that the Rangers would be deputed at identified spots and act in coordination with superintending engineers who, in turn, would submit their reports to their respective chief engineers.

The objective of deploying the Rangers is to provide protection to the department’s inspection teams during the modules checking campaign.

Mr Leghari told journalists that for the first time in the department’s history, an accountability process was being initiated in respect of repair and maintenance. Under this process, he added, the whole manual of water, along with the sets of relevant documents, was being handed over to the army for the purpose of checking the R&M procedures and accounts.

Besides, the minister said, committees of local people were also being formed and would be assigned one-week tasks.

The committees, having representatives from one division, would carry out checking in other division for accountability, inspection and module surveys.

Pointing out that in the Maintenance and Repair Division, contracts worth millions of rupees are awarded, he said that to ensure transparency, 5-corps engineering was also involved.

The minister recalled that a memorandum had been signed with the Transparency International whereby their standard manuals and procedures were being adopted.

Replying to a question, he said that the committees formed for checking modules would consist staff of the chief engineer (development). One team would visit Nasir Division and the other Nusrat Division.

Similarly, he said, the staff of drainage division would be posted at Hala and Mehar divisions. They would carry out patrolling during night hours.

Regarding condition of embankments, the minister said that he had taken up this matter as far back as in December 2004 when a survey of bunds had been carried out.

He said that the Asian Development Bank was reluctant to approve funding in the embankment strengthening project.

The Sindh government, however, fought the case and got the ADB’s approval.—APP