Punjab Irrigation Minister Chaudhry Aamir Sultan Cheema has directed the Irrigation Circles to ensure adequate water supply in their divisions, which falls on tail of the circle, and in case of shortage it should be divided equally in all divisions of the circle. He was chairing a meeting here on Wednesday.
He said, "It is a common observation that the division which falls on the tail of a circle usually receives less water than its indent because of the negligence of upper divisions. Department is providing entire water as per the requirements of each zone, in spite of this, as far as Multan zone is concerned, Khanewal, being tail division of Lower Bari Doab circle getting 91 cusecs less water while Shujaabad, last division of Haveli Canal Circle, getting 58 cusecs less water and Western Bar Division falling on the tail of Neeli Bar Circle receiving 52 cusecs less water."
He observed that when the heads were receiving full supply then why shortage was being observed at tail divisions. He directed the officers to ensure the measurement of water within 200 meters of each division's boundary limits and said that the upper division would be held responsible if a division takes delivery of less water at its starting point.
Cheema also advised the chief engineers to provide recently purchased new vehicles to sub divisional officers so that they could observe continues patrolling on canals and water theft could be checked. He also took notice of the complaints regarding collection of Aabiyana from certain areas where water was not being supplied. He said that after implementation of flat rate of Aabiyana, such type of complaints has been increased which should be redressed.
Secretary Irrigation Arif Nadeem, Consultants, M. H. Siddiqui, Chaudhry Mazhar Ali and other senior officers of the department were also present on the occasion.