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NAWABSHAH, Oct 5: Sindh Minister for Irrigation Nadir Akmal Laghari has admitted that staff of the irrigation department is involved in water theft and responsible for breaches in different water channels.
He told newsmen here on Tuesday that around 6,000 direct outlets in different canals from Sukkur to Kotri barrage had badly affected the irrigation system. He said that Rs12 billion announced by the President Gen Pervez Musharraf for the work on improving Sindh's irrigation network was in pipeline.
He claimed that Chief Minister of Sindh Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim had devised a strategy, after consultation with water experts, to acquire Sindh's share of water. The minister said that Rangers had not been withdrawn from the canals and they could be called where ever needed. He added that even army could be called to stop water theft.
Earlier, he told a gathering of farmers at the circuit house that provision of water to farmers only during his visit to an area was not solution of the problem. Among others Jam Tamachi Unnar, Syed Zahid Ali Shah, Ali Jan Rind and others highlighted problems of the area farmers and complained about corruption of irrigation staff and water shortage in their areas.
BADIN: Mr Laghari told journalists that the Rangers personnel deputed at canals had nothing to do with functioning of the irrigation network and their role was limited to monitoring of water distribution in coordination with the irrigation department.
He added that the Rangers would stay with the department till the bad impression about irrigation officials was removed. The minister arrived here on Monday to ascertain the impact of recent rains on the coastal area of Badin district.
Briefing journalists at the circuit house, he said that any project, which might pose a threat to lives people living in the coastal area, would not be undertaken through the irrigation department.
Referring to devastation caused by the Left Bank Outfall Drain, he said that the issue could be resolved and it should be ensured that there was no risk to environment, ecology and people in future because of the drain network.
Regarding a rise in water level in the LBOD, he said that there was no harm in it as the spinal drain had the capacity to flow it and added that presently, the water level had receded.
He said that the flow from drains of other districts into the LBOD was within safe limits. The minister said that a study was being conducted on the main component of the LBOD, Dhoro Puran Outfall Drain, and control level of the siphon for restoration of water flow into the Shakoor Dhandh to reduce pressure on the KPOD.
