SUKKUR, Feb 27: The Ghotki feeder, which is the longest canal of the district, was formally handed over to the Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA) on Wednesday and Sardar Rahim Bux Bozdar was appointed its chairman.

This was announced at a seminar held at Ghotki by the SIDA and strengthen participatory organization, which was addressed by Sindh Finance Minister Abdul Hafiz Shaikh and Sindh Agriculture Minister Hasan Ali Chandio.

Sindh secretaries of Irrigation and Finance were also present at the seminar.

On this occasion Mr Shaikh said that this was a revolutionary step because the water distribution system was now in the hands of the people of Ghotki and added that the people would themselves ensure just distribution of water for their lands.

He further said that Sindh had paid back Rs9 billion from its State Bank overdraft of Rs11 billion, and hoped to clear it by June 2002.

He promised to persuade the multinationals of Ghotki to give a package for the district next week. He also pledged to provide money for the district hospital of Ghotki.

The Ghotki feeder comes from the Guddu Barrage and then goes to join the Nara Canal.