HYDERABAD, Nov 2: The working committee of the Sindh Abadgar Board (SAB) has expressed concern over the announcement of power policy and promulgation of the Water Management Ordinance.

The committee, at a meeting held here on Friday, said such extra-constitutional measures would destroy the agrarian economy of Sindh which was already hit by the shortage of water.

It was of the opinion the construction of the Kalabagh dam would deprive Sindh of its share of water and feared the constitution of the Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (Sida) would further devastate the agriculture sector.

The meeting pointed out that as envisaged in the Water Management Ordinance, the present irrigation system would be abolished by 2005 and given to Sida.

It wondered why this system was being introduced only in Sindh which was facing 40 per cent water shortage and where 85 per cent of the population was living below the poverty line.

It demanded immediate withdrawal of the ordinance.

The meeting regretted the ratio of employment of local people in private and public sector enterprises and multinational companies was hardly 20 per cent.

The SAB demanded of the elected MNAs and MPAs to pressurize the government not to issue any ordinance as the elected representatives had the exclusive right of legislation.

The meeting also expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the interior of Sindh.

It demanded of the government to launch a campaign against outlaws to restore peace in the region.

Abdul Majeed Nizamani presided over the meeting.

FINE: The regional police officer, Hyderabad, Abdur Rauf Yousufzai, has imposed a fine of Rs8,000 on DSP Raja Fazlur Rehman for negligence in duty.

He also forfeited two years of service of inspector Mohammad Azeem Jatt of the investigation branch, Sanghar, in the same case.