SANGHAR, Sept 7: Provincial irrigation secretary Mir Mohammad Parhiar has said that Punjab is not stealing Sindh’s water share and the current water shortage was the result of mismanagement.

He was talking to journalists during a visit to Jamrao head-works on Sunday amid reports of massive corruption in remodelling works being carried out at Nara, Mithrao, Rohri and Dadu canals.

He brushed aside reports about a water rotation plan for irrigation.

He said that not a single drop of water would be allowed to be stolen by Punjab and if it did Sindh would complain to the federal government in stronger terms.

He said there were a large number of lift machines fixed on Nara canal which were illegal but many landlords have obtained stay orders from courts and the department would try to get these stay orders vacated and remove the machines.

About corruption in remodelling of canals, he said that notices would be issued to contactors and after one month their contracts will be cancelled and work would be carried out by government machinery and earth moving machines.

He said if any influential landlord was found stealing in theft of water, he would be dealt with strongly and FIRs would be lodged and if any farmers organisation office-bearers were found involved in it, they would also face the law.

He said the Nara canal, which feeds 2.5 million acres in eight districts of Sindh would carry water to full capacity. He said, chopping of trees on the canal banks was banned and new plantation also would be carried out.

He directed the engineers to end the rotation system and ensure that water reached to the tail-end growers and if there was silt in some canals it should be reported so that to desilting could be carried out. He said the gates of Sukkur Barrage were lowered to block the silt of the Indus.

Mr Parhiar said that last year Chotiariyoon (Makhi) reservoir was filled up to 22 feet. He said seepage from this reservoir would be contained by installing 100 tube wells and installation of new drains.