20000405

Appropriate

steps needed

to end water

shortage: Azim

KARACHI: Sindh Governor, Air Marshal Azim Daudpota (Retd) stressed on the appropriate steps to cope with the present water shortage and the problems of irrigation in the province here on Tuesday.

He ordered the Irrigation Department to take in the best plan with the cooperation of farmers and concerned people.

In this regard a high-level meeting was held at the Governor House, which was attended by the provincial minister for Irrigation, A. F. G. Abbasi, Adviser to Governor Abdul Wahab Shaikh, Chief Secretary Zubair Kidwai, Secretary Irrigation Idris Rajput, Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Mutawakkal Qazi, Secretary to Governor Brig. Akhtar Zamin.

The governor also emphasised on the effective representation of the province in the Indus River Systems Authority he ordered concerned officials to take right steps in this regard.

The meeting was briefed that half of the required quantity of water is available. Since the inflow of water in canals was increasing, by the end of the month, situation would be improved. The cotton crop would not be affected by this shortage, the meeting was assured.

It was also told in the meeting that Guddu branch canal and RB canal Sukkur would be closed for one month.

Present irrigation system, usage pattern and Indus River System Authority was also discussed in this meeting. It was decided in the meeting that effective measures would be taken to improve irrigation and water in the province.ÑPPI