Cabinet for strict action to control water theft

KARACHI - The Sindh Cabinet has decided to ruthlessly move against persons involved in stealing irrigation water from various channels in the province and has asked the irrigation minister to undertake a whirlwind tour and catch hold of persons irrespective of their political affiliation and influence if found guilty.
Senior Minister in the Sindh cabinet Pir Mazharul Haq said this on Thursday while addressing a joint a press conference along with provincial Irrigation Minister Jam Saifullah Dharejo shortly after a cabinet meeting held under the chair of Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.
The ministers told newsmen that the Chief Minister has directed all DPOs to accompany the irrigation minister on his tour of the interior and take stern action against those found guilty of stealing canal water.
The cabinet took serious notice of the negligence of the Sindh Irrigation Development Authority (SIDA) and warned to improve its performance within five days otherwise it might be disbanded, the ministers disclosed at the briefing.
It was decided at the meeting that action should be taken against provincial law officers who had allegedly held in maintaining a status quo in Own Pay Scale System (OPS) case, which was heard by Sindh High Court. It was also decided that deserving officers would get promotion and other perks. In the meeting, the cabinet was informed that only two chief engineers were working in the irrigation department despite the need of at least 12 official in same capacity for efficient functioning of the department.