Committee to scrutinize water supply to Sindh, Balochistan
Pakistan Times National News Desk

ISLAMABAD: Ample supplies are available for Rabi crops and provinces will draw water as per their requirement.

This was stated by Minister for Water and Power Liaquat Ali Jatoi, while presiding over a meeting on water situation here on Tuesday.

The Chairman IRSA briefed about the prevailing water situation and stated that so far provinces have been supplied 4% more water with respect to last year and the average of previous year and about one MAF more water with respect to last year is available in the reservoirs.

He also briefed about the closure of Taunsa Barrage for the rehabilitation and modernization works and alternate routing arrangements to meet full indents of Sindh province besides the programme of closure of G-J Link Canal and CRBC for emergent repairs.

Regarding Sindh and Balochistan issue of short supplies in Kirther Canal, he constituted a committee comprising of experts of WAPDA, NESPAK, Chief Engineer (Sukkur Barrage) Sindh & Chief Engineer (South) Balochistan under the Chairmanship of Member (IRSA) Punjab.

The committee will scrutinize the issue and recommend the steps for proper discharge measurements in Kirther Canal to the satisfaction of both provinces.

The Minister said that changes in indent should be informed to WAPDA at least 48 hours in advance by IRSA while to streamline this mechanism the provinces in turn should submit their indents to IRSA well in advance. He apprised the meeting about latest position on the Sindh and Balochistan issue on short supplies in Kirther Canal.

Minister for Water and Power expressed his satisfaction on the Water situation and appreciated the role of IRSA and the provinces for better Water Management.

He applauded the good gesture of the Punjab to meet full indents to Sindh even at the cost of reduction in its canals. He emphasized the need for full co-operation amongst the IRSA, WAPDA and the provinces.

The provinces and IRSA informed the Minister that there was complete harmony and understanding amongst them. He noted with satisfaction that this year so far about 2.00 MAF more water was supplied to the provinces as compared to the last year.

In view of adequate availability, the farmers are encouraged to give full impetus to sowing of wheat crop. While talking on the Telemetry System, he said TORs have been finalized for the International Consultant, who would submit his report with 16 weeks.●