NAUNDERO:Despite having abundant water in the Warah Canal, irrigation engineers are not releasing water into four minors, including Wasand Shakh, Nazar Shakh, Sadhayo Shakh and Bhutta Shakh, due to which paddy saplings planted by the poor tillers are drying.
In this connection, farmers, including Wazir, Ghulam Nabi Chahwan, Gulsher, Hazoor Bux Unar, Ali Hyder and Naveed Jarwar, held a protest demonstration at Sallar Regulator on Tuesday against the highhandedness of irrigation department officials and alleged that they were demanding gratification for release of water for agricultural purposes into these four tributaries. They alleged that Warah Canal Executive Engineer and SDO were demanding money to release the water into the minors which poverty-stricken growers could not afford.
SDO Moazim Lohar reached the spot and when media persons asked questions about availability of water he replied that water shortage is being faced by the irrigation department across Sindh due to which a small amount is being released into the minors. When he was asked as to how much water shortage is being faced he started using unparliamentarily and aristocratic language against the journalist and said that questions should be asked from the XEN or irrigation secretary.
He said he was not authorized to reply to every question and then he left on the bike of his subordinate without resolving the issue. This proved that assertions of the growers were true for which they demanded stern action against XEN and SDO. They further demanded release of water enabling them to sow padding saplings well on time.