KARACHI, June 24: The Sindh Assembly was on Thursday informed that due to low water discharge at Guddu Barrage, the province was facing an overall 34 per cent shortage of water.

Finance Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed told the house that in lower Sindh, however, the shortage was about 84 per cent. He was making a statement in response to the grievance of some of the members who had staged a token walkout over water shortage, especially in the Rice Canal.

During the day's proceedings, opposition MPAs from Hyderabad also staged a walkout to register their protest against the water shortage as well as power crisis over the past three days.

The minister maintained that water shortage at Guddu Barrage in the river system persisted since May 23 due to a low discharge. He said that the Rice Canal was facing a shortage of 27 per cent whereas in lower Sindh, it ranged from 44 to 85 per cent.

He pointed out that as per water accord, a discharge of 43,000 cusecs should have been available at Guddu Barrage but the actual utilization was 32,293 cusecs, reflecting a shortage of 23 per cent.

At Sukkur, the discharge should be 62,000 cusecs whereas the actual utilization was 40,990 cusecs, showing a shortage of 34 per cent. At Kotri, instead of 33,800 cusecs, the discharge appeared to be 22,046 cusecs representing a shortfall of 39 per cent.

The house was also informed that almost all major canals in the province were facing a shortage. The Desert Pat Feeder, the minister said, was facing a shortage of 14 per cent, Ghotki Pat Feeder 15 per cent, Dadu Canal 22 per cent, Nara Canal 26 per cent, Khairpur Feeder West 29 per cent, Akram Wah 44 per cent, Kalri Baghar 49 per cent and Old Fuleli 85 per cent.

Mr Ahmed said that the reservoir level at Tarbela was 1422.60 with downstream outflow at 155,000 cusecs. He said that as a policy, it was precedent to push the water to Kotri Barrage to help the growers whose lands were fed by it. As the lower Sindh was early sowing area, water supply to the lands on the right side of Sukkur Barrage was now being increased.

Results of the move would become evident from June 25 and a full supply would be attained by June 30, he added. With regard to the Rice Canal offtake at Sukkur, he said that it was 10,290 cusses at the moment as against 14,500 cusecs being the peak discharge. This would rise from June 25 and reach the peak on June 30.

Leader of the opposition in the assembly Nisar Ahmed Khuhro argued that when the discharge from Tarbela was 150,000, a minimum discharge at Sukkur should have been at 80,000 cusecs. He asked the minister to explain why it was not the case. Mr Khuhro expressed the apprehension that there could have been some diversions upstream.

He also contended that while there was enough water in the perineal Dadu Canal, why was there a shortage in the Rice Canal which served the area where Irri rice was being cultivated.

At this time of the year, there should have been enough water for sowing, he said, adding that delayed action and water shortage was devastating the rice growers. He claimed that the minister's statement did not solve the problem.

Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah said that on Tuesday, there would be a presentation on the water issue, and the leader of the opposition could ask any questions on the occasion.

Dr Sikandar Mandhro was of the view that once the water had reached Guddu, it should be the responsibility of the Sindh government to manage its distribution in an equitable manner.

Participating in the debate, MPAs from either side of the divide expressed concern over water shortage, rising prices and deteriorating law and order situation. Ayaz Soomro of the PPP said the deficit budget represented provincial government's failure in obtaining Sindh's due share in the NFC Award and resource distribution.

Criticizing the government, he observed that due to the poor law and order situation, not only local people but foreigners also were feeling insecure. In this context, he said that Japanese engineers had refused to be posted in Sindh. He also slammed the government for not bringing a bill against Karo-kari despite making tall claims in this regard.

Dr Hameeda Khuhro from the treasury benches was also concerned over water shortage and resource allocation to Sindh. However, she was of the view that the provincial government had not surrendered its principled stance on the question.

She clearly reflected the concerns of the people of Sindh over Kalabagh dam issue when she said: "how can anyone talk of building dams when the water is hard to even upper Sindh."

Earlier on a point of order, PPP MPA Zahid Bhurgari drew the chair's attention to water shortage, supply of poisonous water and power crisis in Hyderabad. As he staged a walkout in protest, Ms Nuzhat Pathan, Dr Sikandar Mandhro and Farheen Mughal joined him. All of them, however, returned to the house after recording their protest.