HYDERABAD, Nov 6: Sindh should be paid Rs10 billion for its land acquired by the federation for defence and other purposes according to market rates on the pattern of Punjab.

This was demanded in a resolution adopted by a meeting of the working committee of the Sindh Abadgar Board held here on Saturday and presided over by Abdul Majeed Nizamani.

The meeting expressed concern over 'excesses unleashed against the fishermen of Sindh.' It observed that in democratic and civilised countries, the defence forces, which were paid from the national exchequer, never took over resources of any area unless it was an occupied territory.

The board called on the Rangers to respect their professional duties, national and international law and honour of the country, have mercy on the poor fishermen and give up possession of the coastal waters and lakes.

In another resolution, the meeting demanded 25 per cent subsidy in sunflower seed and 50 per cent subsidy in drill machines and threshers.

The meeting pointed out that the measurers would go a long way in neutralizing the negative impact of acute shortage of water in Sindh and the uncalled for attitude of the sugar industry.

It said that last year the Sindh government had agreed in principle to provide the subsidy, adding that it would not be a new phenomenon as the previous governments had extended such facilities under the Agriculture Production Enhancement Programme.

Expressing concern over the shortage of wheat seed and DAP fertilizer, the meeting urged the government to ensure their adequate supply, restore full supply of water and collect water charges keeping in view its shortage.

The board demanded that the water accord 1991 be implemented in letter and spirit, Sindh be compensated for a loss of Rs100 billion it had sustained during the last five years because of water shortage.

It drew attention of the government to the World Bank survey which had pointed out that since 1999, the per capita income of Sindh had decreased by 0.5 percent per annum while the income of other provinces had increased by 1.3 percent.

The meeting was, however, of the opinion that the World Bank survey had failed to take into account basic problems of injudicious distribution of water, rampant corruption and political interference in all fields.

It observed that the Sindh province had been haunted by the problems since 1990 and demanded an end to administrative and political interference in all fields.