THATTA, May 1: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that the Sindh government was determined to eliminate corruption through effective measures and eradicate practices of forgery in all government departments. The chief minister, who arrived here on Sunday to monitor the Rs122.582 million project of revamping and rehabilitation work of Daro canal branch at RD-90 Sujawal cross section, stretching up to 176 RDs (40 miles).

He also addressed a public gathering hosted by the Distrcit Nazim, Syed Shafqat Hussain Shah Shirazi, at his native village Saeedpur.

Dr Arbab Rahim said that corruption has engulfed irrigation, revenue and other departments.

He said, before he took over as chief minister, some irrigation officials had mismanaged water distribution system by depriving tail-enders of their share.

The officials were involved in selling water through misuse of their powers and allowed growers to install illegal siphons.

He said a “check and balance network” is under way to nab officials involved in corruption and plundering national exchequer. “May he be a chief secretary or a clerk Babu”, if he is involved in corruption he will not be spared.

Referring to irrigation system, he said that since 1955, no one bothered about desilting, digging, revamping and rehabilitation of canals. He claimed that due to his personal intervention, Sindh has witnessed economic growth.

Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim said that for economic revival, farmers are given incentives in rates.

Dr Rahim said 70 per cent people of the coastal areas of Thatta and Badin district were facing hardships due to water shortage, but this year they were looking happy as water was released downstream Kotri.

The Chief Minister said that from next year the government would undertake lining of canals in collaboration with the World Bank to enhance capacity of water. This scheme would help save water.

He said after converting all the canals and kutcha water courses as cemented waterways, we would be able to save water three times more than the Kalabagh or Tarbela Dam.

Commending President Musharraf and the Engineer Corps of the Pakistan Army, he said army’s relentless efforts in repairing Sukkur Barrage head works were appreciable.

Dr Rahim announced three more development schemes for the Thatta district under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) which included reconditioning and widening of roads, desilting of Sim Nullahs and efforts to start Thatta Sugar Mills through government and private partnership and a coastal highway from linking Karachi with Ali Bandar.

Speaking on the occasion, provincial minister for irrigation and power, Nadir Akmal Leghari, said he had directed all the irrigation officials to ensure fair distribution of water.

He said stern action was being taken against water thieves and those who were fixing un-designed water supply modules.

He said provinces were getting their share as per 1991 water accord. This year, tail-enders would also yield bumper crops.

District Nazim, Syed Shafqat Hussain Shah Shirazi and MNA Muhammad Ali Malkani, also spoke on the occasion.

Earlier, secretary irrigation and power, Ashfaq Memon, briefed the chief minister about the schemes.