RAHIM YAR KHAN, May 23: Hundreds of farmers of Bagho Bahar area could not reportedly sow cotton due to the unavailability of canal water. Bagho Bahar is situated in the south of Khanpur tehsil, consisting of Sheikhaan Bhatta , Mud Bhora, Mari Allah Bachaya, Chak 94/P, Chak 45/P and tail-end areas of Islamgarh, Chak 121-1/L, Gulmerg and the Sheikh Zyed Palace, which are irrigated by the Aab-i-Hayat Canal.

The area is perennial as canals provide water throughout the year. Provincial irrigation minister Aamer Sultan Cheema, during his visit to the district earlier this month, assured the villagers that water would be released in all canals, including the newly-built Aab-i-Hayat.

It starts from Liaqatpur tehsil and carries water to the Sadiq Branch and the Adam Sahaba canal which then irrigate many areas of Rahim Yar Khan and Sadiqabad tehsils.

A delegation of the Bagho Bahar farmers told this correspondent that they visited the SE (canals) Muhammad Arshad Niazi in this regard. They alleged that the relatives of a provincial minister used to steal water whereas other farmers were suffering.

When contacted, Mr Niazi claimed that the department was providing water on merit in the entire district. He said the Aab-i-Hayat Canal was situated in the area of Khanpur tehsil SDO. As the SDO was controlling five sections, the charge of Aab-i-Hayat had been given to the Pakalaran SDO, he added.

He said the highway department would soon build a road bridge at Chak 4/P and after its construction, the canal would get 50 cusecs of more water. Whereas the railway bridge was concerned, he said, it was not causing any problem.

The SE said as the water level improved in rivers, the Punjnad Link Canal would get 12,000 cusecs of water and their problem would be solved. Meanwhile, some 200 farmers protested at the Shergarh Head on the Aab-i-Hayat Canal against the unavailability and the alleged water theft and raised slogans against SE, XEN and SDO.