BADIN, June 10: Installation of wooden conduits and tampering with modules of watercourses have caused a shortage of water in the tail-end of the Moor minor. This was stated by the growers while talking to this correspondent on Wednesday.

They said that adequate water was supplied to the minor through the Raj Wah but some influential landlords and a retired brigadier were stealing water with the connivance of officials of the irrigation department.

The growers lashed out at the officials who yielded influence in the secretariat and always escaped any action despite protest demonstrations. They said that there was no provision for lift pumps over any minor but illegal permissions had been given to lift water from the minor.

They alleged that most of watercourses on the head of the minor were tampered with full impunity. They said that as many as 12 wooden conduits were installed on the minor and each one was carrying water thrice times more than a lift pump. They demanded that the Sindh irrigation secretary should conduct raids and take an stern action against those indulged in the water theft.

APCA: The All-Pakistan Clerks Association, district chapter, staged a demonstration in support of their demands outside the district secretariat on Wednesday.