HYDERABAD: The World Bank’s Global Director, Water Global Practice, Saroj Kumar Jha has said the bank through its investment always tries to bring manifestable change in the lives of the targeted communities besides improving agriculture and irrigation systems.
Speaking at a meeting at the Secretariat of Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA) here on Tuesday Jha questioned if a master plan over the water use existed in Sindh?
“Because without a master plan it will be difficult to make decisions for the water use,” he underlined.
The Director observed that even the process of preparing the master plan would reveal the areas where work was needed on priority basis in order to enhance water utility for agriculture.
“We ought to complete the work of assessing the impact of the bank’s projects on the lives of the people,” he underscored.
Managing Director of SIDA Preetam Das pointed out that the master plan about water use did not exist in Sindh.
He, however, apprised the Director that Sindh Water Po
licy, which had been prepared in the light of the National Water Policy of the Federal Government, did exist.
The MD added that the chief ministers of all the provinces had signed that water policy.
Das told the Bank’s officials that a drainage plan had been made for the left bank districts of the River Indus in the province.
SIDA’s General Manager Transition Ghulam Mustafa Ujjan, Consultant Habib Ursani and Engr Sajjad Soomro also briefed the Director.