Due to sustained efforts made by Punjab Irrigation and Power Department (I&PD) to stop water theft, the Police have registered 1577 cases against people arrested 799 involved in the crime during the Kharif Crop 2008. A report submitted to the Senior Minister Punjab, Raja Riaz Ahmad revealed the facts.
The I&P Department reported 13365 cases to the police for taking legal action against the persons involved in water theft in different areas of the province. According to details, the Police registered cases against 23 in Lahore Canal Division, 44 in Faisalabad, 508 in Sargodha, 171 in DG Khan, 36 in Multan and 795 in Bahawalpur. More arrests were made in other parts of the province including 20 in Sargodha, 8 in DG Khan and 771 in Bahawalpur.
The Senior Minister has directed the I&PD field staff to foster awareness about efficient and equitable use of canal water so that the tail farmers could also get their share. 'The farming community should also be sensitised about the maintenance and repair of the irrigation infrastructure,' he concluded.