HYDERABAD: Sindh Minister for Irrigation Jam Khan Shoro has said that Sindh received less water than its due share during ongoing Kharif season thanks to incompetence of the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) and it led to serious implications for the province’s agriculture sector.

The late arrival of flows caused delay in sowing of crops by two months in tail-end areas of Badin district while there were reports that Irsa was preparing to further reduce flows for Sindh, he said.

The minister was speaking to journalists during his visit to Tando Mohammad Khan, Badin, Kadhan and Golarchi on Monday. Shoro, who was given the portfolio of irrigation in recent cabinet reshuffle, is visiting different areas to assess water situation in the wake of fresh dip in flows in the Indus river system.

He said that Irsa should not be mistaken to think that the water shortage was affecting only Sindh or only Badin district. The shortage had badly hit Sindh’s farm sector and its loss was in fact the loss of national economy, he said.

He admitted to issues with water management and warned that if any official or influential was found involved in water theft action would be taken against him.

He said that growers had to face water shortage but now measures would be taken to ensure timely availability of water. The Sindh government would record its protest at all forums against Irsa’s negligence and it would keep protesting against it, he said.

Growers and elected representatives of Badin complained to the minister that they were not consulted over management of water, development and reforms of irrigation system.

The minister said that from then onwards they would be consulted in development and rehabilitation works.

He directed Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (Sida) managing director Pretam Das and chairman area water board to stay in Badin and ensure water availability in the affected areas.

The minister was accompanied by MNA Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, MPAs Mir Allah Bux Talpur and Taj Mohammad Mallah, the chief minister’s special assistant Pir Noorullah Qureshi and others.

Delinquent officials warned of action

BADIN: Shoro told media persons during his visit to tail-end areas of Matli, Kadhan and Golarchi in Badin district that he was assessing water management in different areas and warned officials of strict action if they were found responsible for mismanagement.

The minister assured farmers of timely supply of water in future and ordered officials concerned to release water into Dammar minor within three days.

He said that Badin farmers as well as elected representatives had complained of water shortage, theft and mismanagement in irrigation system. Elected representatives and farmers should be involved in all future development or rehabilitation works, he said.

The minister took notice of the complaint that water was not discharged as per design of regulator of Sultani Branch fed by Phuleli canal and directed managing director of Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority to resolve the problem at the earliest.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2021