Sindh Irrigation & P&D Minister holds open katcheri in Sanghar, assures prompt redressal of public grievances

Sanghar (Hasnain Ashiq Saand)

On the special directives of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, the provincial minister for Irrigation and Planning & Development, Jam Khan Shoro, convened an open katcheri at the Gymkhana Sanghar on Sunday, where a large number of citizens, growers, farmers and delegations from rural areas presented their issues and grievances.

Participants, including Jam Ghulam Qadir Anar, Ghulam Qadir Malookani, Murtaza Kamal and Mumtaz Manghi, raised matters related to urban transport, welfare of persons with disabilities, equitable distribution of irrigation water, desilting of canals, removal of illegal encroachments, salinity and waterlogging, and complaints regarding the irrigation system.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Shoro said that action had been initiated to eliminate illegal watercourses, particularly the khati along Jamrao Canal, while the Shahoo Chhadan drainage system had been fully activated to address long-standing drainage issues in Shahdadpur, Tando Adam and other parts of Sanghar district. He directed the Director Nara to take immediate measures to remove all illegal watercourses and announced that more check posts would be established to curb illegal tree-cutting.

Issuing on-the-spot directives to concerned officials, the minister said that improving the irrigation network remained a top priority of the provincial government. He added that the purpose of open katcheris was to ensure public facilitation and administrative transparency.

He instructed the Deputy Commissioner to convene a meeting with the Abadgar Board to gather growers' recommendations so that their issues could be resolved in line with their concerns. He reaffirmed that fair distribution of irrigation water, strict adherence to Kharif and Rabi schedules, and continued action against illegal water theft would remain the government’s focus.

During the session, citizen Mubeen Dars raised concerns regarding drinking water shortages in Sanghar city, while growers highlighted issues such as inadequate crop prices. The minister resolved several complaints on the spot and assured that remaining matters would be taken up with higher authorities for early resolution.

President of Sanghar Press Club, Anjum Aftab Nizamani, demanded the construction of a speed breaker on Nawabshah Road in front of schools and colleges. The minister directed the Director Local Government to conduct a thorough inquiry into alleged irregularities in NIT-related matters and submit a detailed report.

Senator Quratulain Mari, MPA Jam Shabbir Ali Khan, MPA Paras Dero, MPA Shahid Khan Thaheem, District Chairman Syed Riaz Hussain Shah Khurasani, Commissioner Shaheed Benazirabad Shahmeer Bhutto, Deputy Commissioner Sanghar Sarah Javed, PPP District General Secretary Jahangir Junejo, provincial youth leader Javed Nayab Laghari, Chief Engineer Irrigation Mansoor Ahmed Memon, SSP Sanghar Abid Baloch, town chairmen and senior officials were also present.