HYDERABAD, Dec 12: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim on Tuesday visited the Kunner distributary of Rohri Canal in Tando Qaiser at Mongian jo Tar head regulator following growers’ complaints regarding water shortage of Khokhar minor.

He asked the irrigation secretary to examine all the options including the remodelling of Rohri Canal for availability of water to growers of Khokhar minor and Kunner distributary.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by the District Nazim of Hyderabad, Kanwar Naveed Jamil, provincial ministers Nadir Akmal Leghari, Dr.Irfan Gul Magsi and Secretary Irrigation Shuja Ahmed Junejo.

He took an aerial view of Rohri Canal and Kunner distributary and noted that distributary was in a bad shape and needed lining. He was briefed by the irrigation secretary at RD-79 head regulator of Kunner distributary that originates from main Rohri Canal. A group of growers spoke to him and also demanded water.

The Taluka Nazim of Tando Allahyar, Haji Khair Mohammad Khokhar, informed the chief minister that Kunner distributary provided water to eight water courses while 35-water courses are settled on Khokhar minor and they were not getting water.

The chief minister asked secretary irrigation to provide separate modules for Khokhar minor without raising the water capacity. He said that all the options including remodelling of Kunner distributary and Rohri Canal should be examined and he should be informed accordingly. He was informed by secretary irrigation that lining of distributary and minor would be carried out soon.He told the secretary that available water should be managed so that all the growers should get their due share. He said the former MNA, Sattar Sarewal, who had some reservations over the decision, had also been informed that water level of Khokhar minor was not being raised.

He was informed that total discharge of the distributary was 126 cusec and that Kunner and Khokhar minor would be lined and remodelled. He said that it should be done so that growers of both these water channels should get their due share of water. He spoke to growers briefly while inspecting the distributary. Secretary irrigation said that Rohri Canal's remodelling would begin from Odero Lal point up to its tail.

Our Mirpurkhas correspondent adds: Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim selected one of three proposed sites for the establishment of Mirpurkhas Medical College when he visited the city on Tuesday.

The departments concerned had proposed three sites out of which the chief minister selected 114 acres owned by Sindh Horticulture Research Institute and gave a go-ahead for starting the college project on the land.

Mr Rahim told reporters after visiting the site that the government had allocated Rs500 million for the medical college.

He directed the officers concerned to prepare a plan of medical college building with special attention to its design.

Later, the chief minister met with different delegations at circuit house.