MIRPURKHAS, Nov 6: Provincial minister for irrigation, Syed Ali Mir Shah, has stressed the need to utilising available water in a proper manner so that the water could be ensured to the tail-enders.

He was speaking at a public outreach programme here at the the circuit house on Tuesday.

Secretary irrigation Idrees Rajput, Manager Director (SIDA) Ali Gohar Shah, district Nazim Pir Shafqat Hussain Shah Jilani, officers, Nazims and the settlers were also present on this occasion.

The minister directed the officers of the irrigation department to change their attitude and redress the grievances of the growers and distribute water equitably.

He warned that stern action would be taken against those officials found in the habit of corruption and malpractices.

He claimed that during the last 35 years, thousands of direct outlet were sanctioned but in the present government period, illegal direct outlet were being closed. He asked the growers to cooperate with the government to make SIDA effective.

Secretary irrigation, Idrees Rajput, while responding various queries from the growers, said that 210 illegal pumping machines installed in Khairpur district at Nara canal have so far been removed and the remaining would soon be removed. He claimed that despite shortage of water, equal water was being distributed to Rohri and Nara canals.

He assured the growers to conduct inquiry into the complaints against SDO irrigation Umerkot. He directed officers to inform the growers regarding rotation programme in time and assure that benefit may reach to tail- enders.

Earlier, Syed Qurban Ali Shah, taluka Nazim Syed Inayat Ali Shah, Pir Aftab Hussain Shah Jilani, Pir Ayub Jan Sarhandi, Syed Noor Ali Shah presented problems of the growers.