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TITLE: Government and Punjab Criticised; People Protest Severe Water Shortage |
AUTHOR: |
PUB: Star Report |
DATE: March 15, 2001 |
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Hundreds of growers staged protest marches in different villages against the acute water shortage and blamed the Punjab and the government for destroying their agroeconomy and starving them and their cattle even of drinking water.The growers comprising workers of various sociopolitical parties, hurs and peasants came out onto the streets in villages Choondko, Sikanderabad, Sorah, Tajal and Khiwari in the morning and staged protest marches and rallies to criticise the government who according to them, had failed to distribute water justly. They said that no doubt there was a water shortage during the Kharif and Rabi seasons but whatever was available could have been distributed fairly if the federal government had taken necessary measures. They alleged that during the Kharif season, the federal government closed its eyes and allowed the Punjab to steal water which was released for Sindh. As a result, over yields have fallen by a third.The growers had also staged protest rallies earlier but the federal and provincial governments had demonstrated an irresponsible attitude. The growers, particularly the small ones suffered heavy losses during Kharif.Reports were also received from Shahdadkot that Balochistan had forcibly taken their water by closing the Khirthar Canal's 'Garang regulator' located at Sindh Balochistan border. Thus, the whatever water was available for Shahdadkot was taken by Balochistan's growers forcibly through the Saifullah Canal during the last Kharif season. Complaints were even filed with the GOC Pano Aqil. During this on-going Rabi season, which is almost in its final stage, of growth, the water did not flow past the Punjab as was promised. The government was blamed for allowing the sway of Punjab in IRSA which has never been realistic and fair. During Rabi, Sindh's growers have suffered a major losses because the entire crop has been damaged and their investment made in the crop has dried out. The growers have urged the government to exempt them from taxes related to their fields. The leaders of the numerous protests were Aziz Bhambhro, Comrade Mohammed Ismail, Khameso Khan, Ghulam Murtaza and others. In the protest rallies, children and women participated in large numbers.
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