The meeting was attended by MNAs Mir Munawar Talpur, Nawab Yousuf Talpur, provincial ministers Dr Sikandar Mendhro, Imdad Pitafi, MPAs Ali Mardan Shah, Mir Hayat Talpur, Secretary Irrigation Syed Jamal Shah and others. MNA Nawab Yousuf Talpur pointed out that there were some illegal water courses on Jamrao Canal. On this the chief minister said it was not acceptable at all. He directed Irrigation Secretary to conduct a thorough inquiry and take strict action if any illegal watercourse is detected and report him.
Secretary Irrigation Syed Jamal Shah said that the Nara Canal System can be divided into two sections: the Upper-Nara which is located between Sukkur Barrage and Jamrao Weir and it is 115 miles long and Lower Nara that is below Jamrao Weir that is 105 miles long. The total length of Nara Canal is 220 miles with a designed capacity of 13602 cusecs.
In the Nara canal system; there are six other canals such as Upper Nara, Lower Nara, Jamrao Canal, Twin Jamrao Canal, Mithrao Canal, Khipro Canal. It may be noted that the Nara Canal system came to maturity with the commissioning of the Sukkur Barrage in 1932, regulating the flow of Indus River and supply channels through the bed of Upper Nara. This enabled perennial irrigation of dry crops, cotton and wheat, in a large part of Nara Canal Command. Rice cultivation was in the main area designated for non-perennial irrigation at the tail of the Eastern Nara Canal.
Before the construction of Sukkur Barrage the Nara Canal was an inundation channel, which follows the course of old Hakro River that ceased to flow in the 19th century. The secretary said that the Nara Canal Area Water Board has made serious efforts for equitable distribution of water which include: recording tail-gauges of each canal twice a day; the executive engineers have also been instructed to keep strict watch over the direct outlets. Rotation programme has also been launched to provide water in the entire system. The chief minister directed Jamal Shah to ensure sagacious water distribution so that the growers of entire Nara Canal system could get water.
AGRICULTURE INCOME TAX Presiding over a meeting on agriculture Income tax Murad Shah said that most of the big companies in the private sector and leading businessmen show their agriculture income in their returns but as a matter of fact they do not pay a single penny to the Board of Revenue. He said that the FBR has sent him a report containing over 500 names of leading businessmen, traders, industrialists and big companies who have shown their agriculture income in their tax returns. He shared the list with Chief Secretary Rizwan Memon who also holds the charge of Senior Member Board of Revenue (SMBR) and directed him to issue them notices on the addresses given in the list and collect agriculture income tax from them.
The Chief Minister also directed the Chief Secretary/SMBR to prepare agriculture tax reform draft bill so that it could be passed from the assembly. The Sindh government has exempted agricultural income of up to Rs 500,000 from taxation and above Rs 500,000 income, there are different tax slabs.