If Canal Water Is Stopped We Will Take To The Streets Alongside Farmer MLA Karemma G. Nayak Warns Government
“If Canal Water Is Stopped, We Will Take to the Streets Alongside Farmers”: MLA Karemma G. Nayak Warns Government
JDS Opposes Decision to Stop Canal Water Supply; Massive Rally and Road Blockade Protest on November 16
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Devadurga, October 31: Farmers cultivating crops under the Narayanapura Right Bank Canal command area are facing a serious water shortage, raising concerns about the future of their standing crops. There is growing fear that farmers may lose the fruits of their hard work just before harvest.
Demanding that canal water supply be continued until January to protect farmers' crops, the Janata Dal (Secular) will organise a massive rally and road blockade protest near Sirwar Cross on November 16, MLA Karemma G. Nayak warned.
Speaking at a press conference held at the JDS office in Devadurga on Saturday, she said that during the Irrigation Advisory Committee meeting held in Bengaluru, an assurance had been given to release sufficient water to protect Kharif crops. However, the decision to stop canal water supply from November 12 has caused serious concern among farmers.
She explained that approximately 70,000 hectares are under cotton cultivation, 30,000 hectares under paddy and more than 6,000 hectares under chilli cultivation in Devadurga and Arakera taluks. While cotton is nearing the harvesting stage, paddy requires water at least until December, and chilli crops need irrigation until January.
The MLA further stated that farmers have invested nearly Rs. 1 lakh per acre in chilli cultivation. Some farmers have even leased 10 to 20 acres of land for cultivation. They are expecting their harvest during December and January. If water supply is discontinued at this crucial stage, farmers could suffer losses worth crores of rupees.
To safeguard farmers' interests, meetings with farmers will be organised at 11 locations across Gram Panchayat areas from November 7 to 11. During these meetings, information regarding farmers' problems and crop conditions will be collected and brought to the attention of the district administration.
She also said that officials from the Irrigation and Agriculture Departments have already been instructed to submit details regarding water requirements and possible crop losses. The officials are expected to submit their reports within a week.
Based on the information collected from farmers and the reports submitted by officials, the issue will be raised before the Irrigation Advisory Committee and during the upcoming winter session of the Karnataka Legislature to draw the government's attention.
Criticising the state government, MLA Karemma G. Nayak alleged that even the Chief Minister had acknowledged the state's deteriorating financial condition through his statements. Although drought has been declared, farmers have not received adequate compensation and other promised benefits.
She strongly criticised the government, stating that the state had never witnessed such an inefficient administration in the past.
Several JDS leaders and party workers were present at the press conference, including Devadurga Taluk JDS President Basanagouda Desai, Arakera Taluk President Siddanna B. Ganekal, Sharanappa Bale, Amaresh Patil Partapur, Hanumantray Nayak Chintalakunti, Channappa Masidapur, Shikharesh Patil, Nagaraj Patil, Govindaraj Nayak, Shalam Uddar, Shantakumar Gopalapur, Sharanagouda, Channamma Vachanayak Tanda and Ramesh Ramanal, among others.
JDS Opposes Decision to Stop Canal Water Supply; Massive Rally and Road Blockade Protest on November 16
NEED 24 NEWS
Devadurga, October 31: Farmers cultivating crops under the Narayanapura Right Bank Canal command area are facing a serious water shortage, raising concerns about the future of their standing crops. There is growing fear that farmers may lose the fruits of their hard work just before harvest.
Demanding that canal water supply be continued until January to protect farmers' crops, the Janata Dal (Secular) will organise a massive rally and road blockade protest near Sirwar Cross on November 16, MLA Karemma G. Nayak warned.
Speaking at a press conference held at the JDS office in Devadurga on Saturday, she said that during the Irrigation Advisory Committee meeting held in Bengaluru, an assurance had been given to release sufficient water to protect Kharif crops. However, the decision to stop canal water supply from November 12 has caused serious concern among farmers.
She explained that approximately 70,000 hectares are under cotton cultivation, 30,000 hectares under paddy and more than 6,000 hectares under chilli cultivation in Devadurga and Arakera taluks. While cotton is nearing the harvesting stage, paddy requires water at least until December, and chilli crops need irrigation until January.
The MLA further stated that farmers have invested nearly Rs. 1 lakh per acre in chilli cultivation. Some farmers have even leased 10 to 20 acres of land for cultivation. They are expecting their harvest during December and January. If water supply is discontinued at this crucial stage, farmers could suffer losses worth crores of rupees.
To safeguard farmers' interests, meetings with farmers will be organised at 11 locations across Gram Panchayat areas from November 7 to 11. During these meetings, information regarding farmers' problems and crop conditions will be collected and brought to the attention of the district administration.
She also said that officials from the Irrigation and Agriculture Departments have already been instructed to submit details regarding water requirements and possible crop losses. The officials are expected to submit their reports within a week.
Based on the information collected from farmers and the reports submitted by officials, the issue will be raised before the Irrigation Advisory Committee and during the upcoming winter session of the Karnataka Legislature to draw the government's attention.
Criticising the state government, MLA Karemma G. Nayak alleged that even the Chief Minister had acknowledged the state's deteriorating financial condition through his statements. Although drought has been declared, farmers have not received adequate compensation and other promised benefits.
She strongly criticised the government, stating that the state had never witnessed such an inefficient administration in the past.
Several JDS leaders and party workers were present at the press conference, including Devadurga Taluk JDS President Basanagouda Desai, Arakera Taluk President Siddanna B. Ganekal, Sharanappa Bale, Amaresh Patil Partapur, Hanumantray Nayak Chintalakunti, Channappa Masidapur, Shikharesh Patil, Nagaraj Patil, Govindaraj Nayak, Shalam Uddar, Shantakumar Gopalapur, Sharanagouda, Channamma Vachanayak Tanda and Ramesh Ramanal, among others.