KARACHI, Oct 17: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has expressed dissatisfaction over reports of corruption and mismanagement in the affairs of the provincial irrigation department.
Chairing a meeting at the Chief Minister’s House on Wednesday, he expressed particular dissatisfaction over the work done on embankments from Guddu to Thatta and directed the officials concerned to take prompt remedial measures to remove complaints and eradicate corruption.
He said President Asif Ali Zardari also took notice of the complaints with regard to distribution of water from growers and elected representatives and directed the department to take necessary measures for justified distribution of water among growers and cultivators in order to achieve maximum crop production.
Mr Shah, who also keeps the portfolio of irrigation department, said that the department was vital for the economy of the province, which was agro-based. Jam Saifullah Khan Dharejo lost the irrigation portfolio last Sunday.
Regarding provision of funds, the CM assured that the funds would be provided as per land holding and crop position.
Sindh Irrigation Secretary Babar Effendi earlier gave a detailed briefing on rain/flood situation and said that there was heavy monsoon rain from Sept 6 in upper Sindh and Balochistan and six districts of Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Larkana, Kambar-Shadadkot and Ghotki were badly affected.
He added that area measuring 21,627 square kilometres was affected whereas 49 de-watering pumps had been installed there.
The CM was also given a briefing on small dams in Sindh.
He was briefed that the Kohistan region, Nagarparkar and Ubhan Shah Hill areas were main potential sites of Sindh for construction of small dams and delay-action dams to retain the runoff water generated from storm rainfall.
The CM was told that the small dam organisation initiated seven feasibility studies, out of which four studies had been completed.
Mr Shah stressed that all sources of water be presented for better use in agriculture sector.