KHAIRPUR, Dec 8: Khairpur DCO Qazi Shahid Pervez has said that there is shortage of irrigation water in three talukas of the district — Sobhodero, Mirwah and Faiz Ganj. He said there was no irrigation water at tail-ends of the minors due to which growers in Sobhodero protest for many days which was not out of any fondness. He said that east and west divisions of irrigation systems should ensure that water has been regulated.

He was speaking as chief guest at an agricultural seminar at the Sachal auditorium here on Thursday.

He said that performance of the agricultural department in the district was not satisfactory hence it has been made mandatory for field assistants to get field work certificates from union council nazims.

He said that when growers are asked to pay Abiyana (water tax) they complained about shortage of water.

Speaking on the occasion, District Nazim Pir Niaz Hussain Shah Jilani said that committees will be formed to provide seed, fertilizers and pesticides to growers and to ensure agricultural loans to genuine peo-ple.

The general secretary of PML-F, Khairpur district, Syed Saghir Hussain Zaidi, said that substandard pesticides and fertilizers were being sold.

Earlier, growers complained for not sanctioning loans and excess money being charged by revenue officials for agricultural tax.