BAHAWALPUR:Commissioner Bahawalpur Division Irfan Ali Kathia has directed the authorities concerned to prioritise the prevention of canal water theft to protect farmers’ rights, ensure the fair distribution of irrigation water, and address issues facing the agriculture sector.
He called for indiscriminate legal action against those involved in canal water theft and stressed the effective enforcement of relevant laws. The commissioner issued these directions while chairing a review meeting on measures to prevent canal water theft.
Regional Police Officer Ghazi Muhammad Salahuddin, Deputy Commissioner Bahawalpur Syed Hassan Raza, District Police Officer Rana Abdul Wahab and officials of the relevant departments attended the meeting. Deputy Commissioner Bahawalnagar Syed Muhammad Abbas Shah and Deputy Commissioner Rahim Yar Khan Zaheer Anwar Jappa participated through video link.
The meeting reviewed measures to prevent canal water theft, legal proceedings against those involved and enforcement of the relevant laws. Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia directed assistant commissioners to conduct field visits alongside officials of the Irrigation Department and police and carry out joint operations to prevent water theft. He instructed Irrigation Department officials to remain active in the field and regularly monitor the canal water distribution system.
The commissioner observed that the illegal diversion of canal water undermined the agricultural rights of other farmers. He therefore directed the authorities to take strict legal action against those involved in water theft without any concession. He also called for the activation of committees established to prevent canal water theft, effective performance of duties by the relevant officials and continuous monitoring of measures taken in the field.
Regional Police Officer Ghazi Muhammad Salahuddin emphasised the need for effective measures to curb canal water theft and ensure legal action against violators in accordance with the law. He directed officials to preserve photographs and video footage of reported water theft incidents as evidence so that those responsible could be proceeded against effectively under the law.
The meeting stressed the need for prompt action on complaints regarding canal water theft, timely identification of violations and effective implementation of preventive measures by deputy commissioners and all relevant departments. Officials were directed to maintain regular joint field operations and strengthen the system for ensuring the fair distribution of canal water among farmers. Additional Commissioner Coordination Naeem Sadiq Cheema, Assistant Commissioner General Khizar Razzaq Manj, Director Development Malik Mahboob Elahi Kharr, Chief Engineer Irrigation Muhammad Faisal, District Emergency Officer Baqir Hussain, Secretary Regional Transport Authority Sanaullah Riaz, the District Traffic Officer and other relevant officials also attended the meeting.