KARACHI, Oct 6: Leader of the opposition in the Sindh Assembly, Nisar Khuhro, on Thursday slammed the Indus River System Authority (IRSA)for 14 per cent reduction in water to the province for the next Rabi crop and termed it enmity towards the people of Sindh.

In a statement issued here, Mr Khuhro said that he was amazed by the IRSA’s decision this year after drowning of the sugarcane and cotton crop of the province due to excess water and faulty drainage, IRSA had announced a 14 per cent cut of water for the Rabi crop.

This has been done at a time when both the reservoirs are full to the brim. The cut is arbitrary, in violation of the Constitution and the water accord and aimed at destroying the wheat crop of the province, Mr Khuhro added.

He said that the government’s announcement to start sugar mills by October 1 proved to be a hoax as the deadline passed but the mills had not even started the cleaning of their premises or machinery and openly declared that they could not start crushing before January.

Mr Khuhro said that IRSA’s decision implied the rotting of whatever was still left of the sugarcane crop in the fields on the pattern of last year. It also meant delay in sowing of the wheat crop by 8 to 10 weeks.

He demanded that 1991 water accord should be followed in letter and spirit. There is enough water in the reservoirs to meet the Rabi and early Kharif needs of the entire province, he said.