HYDERABAD, April 27: Sindh Irrigation Minister Sadruddin Shah Rashdi has said that the chief minister has issued orders for payment of compensation to people affected by this week's breach in the Rohri Canal.

Talking to people during his visit to the breach site in the Khesana Mori area near here on Tuesday, he said that the revenue department had been directed to conduct a survey of losses in two days so that affected people could be compensated in shortest possible time.

He said that he had constituted a committee, headed by adviser to Sindh government for water distribution Shujauddin Junejo with Sukkur Barrage chief engineer Ghulam Nabi Mughal and Nasir division executive engineer Hafiz Abdul Sattar as members, to investigate into cause of the breach. The minister added that the committee would submit its report within one week.

He assured that whoever, either from inside or outside the irrigation department, was found responsible for the breach, would not be spared and would be dealt with according to law.

Answering a question, he expressed the opinion that the breach might have been caused due to sabotage or attempt of water theft as water flow in the canal was at 11 gauge against normal flow of 15 gauge at the time of the breach.

Replying another question, he claimed that due to timely efforts made by the irrigation and police officials and growers, the breach had been plugged in shortest possible time and no major damage had been caused but only a few mango orchards and about 50 acres of farmland had been inundated.

He said that six water pumping machines had been installed in the area by the irrigation department to recycle standing water into the canal, adding that the number of the machines was being doubled and the task would be completed in 48 hours.

Answering yet another question, the minister said that some people were trying to politicize the water issue. Meanwhile, Mr Rashdi also held talks with a group of growers who were protesting against what they called an artificial water shortage at tail-end of different water channels origination from the Rohri Canal.

Assuring the growers of justice, the minister directed Mr Junejo to inquire into their complaints and submit a report within a week. Later, he held a meeting with a delegation of growers, led by Qazi Abdul Majeed, at the residence of Abdul Jabbar Nizamani in Latifabad here.

Talking to the delegation, the minister said that reshuffling in the management of Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority had been made to ensure equitable water distribution from head to tail of water channels.

He said that Sida would be made more effective with the consultation and active participation of farmers' organizations. He said that an extensive operation would be launched with the help of police against water theft.

Adviser to Sindh chief minister for Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority Ali Akbar Nizamani, Sida managing director Ali Mohammad Baloch, EDO, revenue, Hyderabad, Aftab Ahmed Memon, and others accompanied the minister during his visit to the breach site and at the meetings with the farmers.