Farmers seek urgent measures to get water from Karnataka

The standing paddy crop in many parts of the delta region requires water for irrigation for at least another 20 days and the State government should initiate urgent measures to get Tamil Nadu’s due share of water from Cauvery river to prevent the crops from withering, demanded farmers representatives of the district here on Thursday. A section of the farmers, who raised the demand at the monthly farmers grievances meeting here, also staged a demonstration in front of the Collector’s Office ahead of the meeting to press this and two other demands for withdrawal of bus fare hike and halting auction of gold jewels pledged by farmers for raising loans. Speaking at the meeting, Ayilai Siva.Suriyan, district secretary, Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, affiliated to the Communist Party of India (CPI), said the samba crop in most places required water for irrigation till February 20. “The crop will wither if adequate water was not released; the State government should pay immediate and full attention to the issue,” he said. Stressing the need for mounting pressure on Karnataka, Puliyur A.Nagarajan, president of the Tamil Maanila Congress Farmers Wing, urged the Chief Minister to lead an all party delegation from the State to meet the Prime Minister and explain the urgency of the situation. P.Ayyakannu, president, Desiya-Thennindia Nadigal Innaippu Vivasayigal Sangam, observed that the current storage at the Mettur Dam would be enough to meet the requirement for just about a week. “There is a possibility that 90 % of the crop in the State raised with Cauvery water could wither and the government should take steps to save the crop,” he said. Gandhipithan of the Cauvery Delta Farmers Welfare Association urged the district administration to save cash crops in Thottiyam taluk by ensuring adequate flow. Farmers’ association leaders observed that many farmers in tail end areas or irrigation canals could not take up cultivation for want of adequate water. “All the irrigation canals should be cleared of silt and renovated. Get funds for this now itself so that at least next year we will be able to get good flow in the irrigation canals,” pleaded R. Subramanian, Deputy Secretary, Cauvery Delta Farmers Welfare Association. A section of farmers also expressed their resentment over the “steep hike” in bus fares. Mr.Nagarajan, who travelled on a bullock cart along with a group of farmers to reach the Collector’s office in a symbolic protest, called upon the government to withdraw the hike immediately. Responding to a complaint, Collector K.Rajamani said the no ordinary service would be allowed to be converted into LSS (Limited Stop Service) to collect a higher fare in the district. Source: The Hindu