Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that water theft in any form would not be tolerated and those found guilty would be brought to book irrespective of their land holding or socio-political status.
Rahim, who rushed to tailend areas of the provincial irrigation network following the growing protest demonstration by growers for non-availability of water addressed growers and public representatives at various places.
He said he had directed the EDOs, revenue, of all districts of the province to submit the land record of every landowner and the area under cultivation with in next two days which will help ascertain the area brought under cultivation beyond its cropping season cultivation limits he that if anyone found cultivating more than 50 percent land through illegal water sources would be heavily penalised.
He exonerated Punjab of water theft and said that it was the provincial irrigation department who failed to properly regulate the water system and corruption in their ranks had further aggravated the situation, which led to mistrust between the two provinces.
He said: "Let me dispense justice to stakeholders with regard to water distribution and set the house in order then I will not hesitate to seek justice from Punjab for any injustice that might have been perpetuated on Sindh."
He warned the irrigation and revenue staff to improve their working within one week or else they would be taken to task. He also urged them to ensure water supply to the tail-end of channels through effective rotation system.
He said he had set up a chain of complaint centres throughout the province to resolve the problems of the farming community, and added that harassment to growers by revenue and irrigation staff would not be tolerated.
He also directed the officials of law enforcing agencies to maintain strict vigil against the criminals and ensure that in future the crime such as cattle theft, robberies and other crimes should not take place in their respective jurisdictions.
He directed the police officials to prepare list of Patharidars, and added that action against patharidars would help to minimise the criminal activities in rural areas.
Earlier he held meetings with Sida, Irrigation, Revenue, public representatives and members of Sindh Assembly and discussed the problems confronted by the people of lower Sindh, particularly of Lar areas.
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