Caretaker CM orders registration of FIR against water theft

KARACHI: Sindh Caretaker Chief Minister Fazul-ur-Rehman on Monday directed the Irrigation Department to take strict action against water theft by registering FIR so that water could be provided to the tail-enders.

He took this decision on Monday while presiding over a joint meeting of the agriculture & irrigation departments here at the CM House.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Rizwan Memon, Minister for Agriculture Khair Mohammad Junejo, Minister Irrigation Mushtaq Shah, Principal Secretary to CM Sohail Rajput, Secretary Irrigation Jamal Shah, Secretary Agriculture Sajid Jamal Abro and others.

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The chief minister said that the water position in the River Indus had improved to some extent but its benefits had not trickled down to the small growers, particularly the tail-enders. “This is the issue of management and distribution of water,” he said. He added that the shortages should also be shared by all the growers and the people living at the bank of canals.

Chief Secretary Rizwan Memon said that there were reports of water theft and illegal pumping of water, therefore water did not reach at the tail-end. The minister irrigation and minister agriculture also expressed the same opinion as expressed by the chief secretary.

The secretary irrigation said that the water position which was 35,000 cusecs in the last week had reached 41, 457 on Sunday and it went on improving day by day.

Giving water withdrawal position, he said that Desert Pat Feeder withdraws 4,842 cusecs, Ghotki Feeder 4,608, North Western Canal 2,040, Rice Canal 1,500, Dadu Canal 1,900, Nara Canal 8,850, Khairpur Feeder East 1,240, Rohri Canal 8,850, Khairpur Feeder West 1060, Kalri Baghar 2450, Akram Wah 640, Pinyari 1370, New Fulelli 2125.

The chief minister directed Jamal Shah to start registering FIR against the water stealers. He also directed the police department through chief secretary to support and cooperate with the irrigation officials in stopping water theft by registering cases.