DERA GHAZI KHAN, June 7: The residents of west bank of Dera Ghazi Khan canal have installed 400 illegal lift-pumps with the consent of the irrigation authorities.

Installation of lift-pumps has been banned by the irrigation department as it would deprive the farmers of Rajanpur district, who are at the tail-end of the canal, of water.

But, the pumps are functioning from Head Gajani to Zero Headworks without any fear. Owners of the pumps are reportedly selling water to fellow farmers.

According to sources, authorities concerned got bribe to allow installation of lift-pumps.

They said the western side of the canal was an arid zone. Earlier, the farmers of that area used turbines for which they were provided electricity on flat rate. But, after the withdrawal of facility by Wapda, the farmers of the west bank have been forced to install lift-pumps.

DYKES’ REPAIR: With the start of rainy season, the irrigation department started repair of the dykes constructed on both sides of the river Indus. It is learnt that the irrigation authorities are minting money by doing ‘cosmetic’ repair on the dykes.

According to local councillors and people, the contract for the repair of Chah Baitwala dyke was given by the irrigation official concerned to one of his relatives. They claimed that the work was substandard and feared that the dyke might be washed away by river water. Similar is the case with other dykes, they added.

They claimed that the irrigation officials also minted money in the name of lining of minor canals.

It may be mentioned that at least Rs20 million have been spent on the restoration of Manika Canal by the irrigation department. But, it could not be restored yet.

ZERO HEADWORKS: When this scribe visited the Zero Headworks, it was noticed that it was still incomplete though the chief engineer had annouced through a press release that it had been completed.

It may be noted that Rs150 million have so far been spent on the headworks. The matter needs a high level inquiry to fix the responsibility of misuse of the funds and negligence.

The Zero Headworks was swept away by a strong hill torrent last year. The main cause of the collapse of the headworks is the negligence of irrigation department. There is no proper vigilance system to gauge the inflow of water.

Similar is the case with the Dari Mero Headworks. It is feared that it would also be swept away by the flood waters.

When this scribe visited the office of river diversion right bank, there was no officer available in the office. A peon on duty said the SDO and other employees did not come to the office regularly.