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NAWABSHAH, June 30: Five officials of the irrigation department were suspended for failing to take action to prevent breaches in the Gujra Canal and Khiyaryoon Branch as another breach occurred in Sujawal Minor on late Tuesday night.
According to a source in the irrigation department, the Sindh irrigation secretary, during his visit to the breach site, ordered suspension of SDO (on special duty) Nabi Dad Wassan, sub-engineer Zulfiqar Khoso, Darogha Sarwar Jamali, Baildar Bashir Khaskheli and Tandail Rashid Ahmed.
The source further said that Khair Mohammad Dahri, an SDO who had been given extra charge of the executive engineer of the Nusrat division, would be transferred in a day or two and his suspension would be recommended to the irrigation authorities. The breaches have inundated several colonies in old Nawabshah and surrounding villages.
ANOTHER BREACH PLUGGED: Meanwhile, a 25-foot-wide breach occurred in Sujawal Minor near Jamal Shah village in the jurisdiction of the Dad division of the irrigation department. As a result, crop standing over 50 acre of land was inundated.
The breach was plugged by the area villagers as the irrigation officials concerned failed to reach the site on time. Furthermore, it was learnt that water was overflowing at RD-616 of the Rohri Canal in the Dad division of the irrigation department and it was feared that the situation could lead to a breach if timely action was not taken.
When contacted, the executive engineer of the Dad division was not available at his office. However, telephone operator Munawwar confirmed the overflow of water but said that it had been controlled by the irrigation staff.
RANGERS: Nawabshah District Nazim Faryal Talpur said at a press conference here on Wednesday that Rangers would be deployed at "sensitive" canals in the district to help the irrigation staff in curbing water theft.
She said that the irrigation officials had security excuses as they argued that they could not prevent landlords from indulging into water theft. She said that during a visit to the site of Tuesday's canal breaches, Sindh irrigation secretary Ashfaq Memon had issued directives to suspend the irrigation officials responsible for the breaches.
The nazim said that the breaches had occurred due to negligence and poor performance of the irrigation officials. She said there was no pathway for inspection along the canals at the breach site though the irrigation department regularly received funds.
