The large number of the small growers and peasants and elected representatives hailing from different towns and cities of district Badin organised an important meeting on Saturday at Morjhar Farm presided over by former Speaker, NA, Dr Fehmida Mirza to devise their strategy against the alleged artificial water crisis in the irrigation channels of the district.
Participants of the meeting held Chairman, Area Water Board, Left Canals of Kotri Barrage, responsible for water crisis, which according to them, was involved in the mega scam of Rs 06 billion which was released for the upgradation and re-modelling of Ali-Pur regulator and others irrigation channels. Fehmida Mirza, MNA, has alleged that people of the district are facing the worst water crisis and other issues mainly due to the rampant corruption and the bad governance.
She observed that the commission formed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan was doing its best to provide the quality drinking water. Dr Mirza observed that Akram Wah canal and its outlets were not given the due share of water while Phuleli Canal and its channels were given extra water illegally since they were non-perennial.
She said that on one hand the flood canals were provided with ample share of water while the other side the outlets in Badin, Shaheed Fazil Rahu, Tando Bago and parts of Talhar Talukas were not given the water even the drinking purposes. She termed it a conspiracy against the farmers and the people of Badin. She said that the water flow was being badly obstructed by irrigation officials and the landowners by tampering with the modules and constructing the blockages in the canals.
On the occasion, Hussnain Mirza, MPA, Sikander Ali Memon, Haji Sher Jamali, Syed Zafar Ali Shah and other elected LB representatives and farmers' leaders were present. Jointly they demanded for the removal of the SIDA chairman and stern actions against all those responsible for the water crisis and in the massive scam. They warned to launch the peaceful protest movement under the leadership of Dr Fehmida Mirza, if their demands were not met.