SAI opposes transfer of powers to PM in Irsa Act

HYDERABAD: The Sindh Abadgar Ittehad (SAI) held a press conference on Wednesday at the Hyderabad Press Club. SAI officials informed that an executive committee meeting was held to discuss the existing agricultural situation.

During the press conference, Nawab Zubair Talpar, president of the SAI, said that in 1991, a consensus on water agreement was reached after great difficulties, but now the Act is being amended into the Irsa Act, which already has objections from Sindh.

In the Irsa Act, the powers are being transferred to the prime minister and IRSA, a move that will weaken the provinces. He said that farmers are worried, and the Sindh government is silent. The president questioned what kind of democracy allows the transfer of power to a single person, adding that any amendments in the Act can put the water agreement in jeopardy.

Talpur said that the SAI believes these amendments could allow for arbitrary decisions about water allocation that favours corporate farming and demands that these proposals be withdrawn.

He said that recent rains have damaged standing crop, adding that despite the NDMA’s warning, the Sindh government and the irrigation department did not take steps that could have resolved the drainage issue. Resultantly, cotton, rice, chilli, tomato and onion were damaged.