Concern over delay in getting water for irrigation
Two sections of farmers gave vent to their ire over the delay in getting water in irrigation canals by resorting to brief protests at the Collector’s Office on Friday.
Two groups of farmers, who gathered to attend the monthly grievances meeting, resorted to the protest condemning the Public Works Department for failing to ensure adequate flow of water in irrigation canals.
They expressed concern over the delay in completion of temporary restoration work on the regulator across the Coleroon, a portion of which was washed away recently, at Upper Anicut. Any further delay would adversely affect samba cultivation, they said.
While one of the groups led by P.Ayyakannu, president, Desiya Thennidia Nadigal Inaippu Vivasayigal Sangam, squatted in front of the meeting hall blocking the way of PWD officials, the other led by P.Viswanathan, president, Tamizhaga Eri Mattrum Attru Pasana Vivasayigal Sangam, resorted to a brief dharna at the porch of the Collector’s Office.
Collector K.Rajamani, who spent a few minutes with each group to hear their grievances, said at the meeting that the temporary restoration work was slowed down due to heavy flow of water for a few days but the work would be completed in the next four days. Once completed, the PWD would be able to fully regulate the water flow in the Cauvery and the Coleroon as per requirement.
The delay in completion of the restoration affected distribution of water to irrigation canals such as Pullampadi, Peruvalai and Ayyan Vaical which get supply from the Coleroon and supply to the delta region through the Cauvery, he said.
“The quantum of water flow has come down now. As on Friday morning, only 2,800 cusecs was flowing in the Coleroon from Upper Anicut and 2,100 cusecs was let out into the Cauvery. Meanwhile, the discharge from Karnataka dams has increased. We hope to complete the restoration work before this water reached here,” he said.
A section of farmers including N.Ganesan, State joint secretary of the Tamil Nadu Milk Producers' Welfare Association, urged the government to take steps to execute the Cauvery, Sarabanga, Thirumanimutharu canal link scheme, which would benefit farmers in Thuraiyur region of the district.
Mr.Rajamani said he would take up this and the demand for executing the Cauvery-Gundar river link project with the State government.
He said that all primary agricultural cooperative credit societies have been directed to extend crop loans to farmers without any hassle.
Village administrative officers have been instructed to provide necessary certification to farmers to get loans. If there was any problem, farmers can bring it to the notice of district administration.
Mr.Ayyakannu alleged that tenant farmers were not being issued certificates by VAOs. Mr.Rajamani assured that the certificates would be issued if the tenant farmer concerned had taken loans previously.
He said about 208 hectares (ha) of paddy crop, 17 ha of sugarcane and 251 ha of banana crop were affected due to overflow of water during the recent heavy discharge in the Cauvery and the Coleroon in Lalgudi, Thottiyam and Andhanallur blocks.
A proposal would be sent to the government for sanction of compensation to the affected farmers.
Source
Two groups of farmers, who gathered to attend the monthly grievances meeting, resorted to the protest condemning the Public Works Department for failing to ensure adequate flow of water in irrigation canals.
They expressed concern over the delay in completion of temporary restoration work on the regulator across the Coleroon, a portion of which was washed away recently, at Upper Anicut. Any further delay would adversely affect samba cultivation, they said.
While one of the groups led by P.Ayyakannu, president, Desiya Thennidia Nadigal Inaippu Vivasayigal Sangam, squatted in front of the meeting hall blocking the way of PWD officials, the other led by P.Viswanathan, president, Tamizhaga Eri Mattrum Attru Pasana Vivasayigal Sangam, resorted to a brief dharna at the porch of the Collector’s Office.
Collector K.Rajamani, who spent a few minutes with each group to hear their grievances, said at the meeting that the temporary restoration work was slowed down due to heavy flow of water for a few days but the work would be completed in the next four days. Once completed, the PWD would be able to fully regulate the water flow in the Cauvery and the Coleroon as per requirement.
The delay in completion of the restoration affected distribution of water to irrigation canals such as Pullampadi, Peruvalai and Ayyan Vaical which get supply from the Coleroon and supply to the delta region through the Cauvery, he said.
“The quantum of water flow has come down now. As on Friday morning, only 2,800 cusecs was flowing in the Coleroon from Upper Anicut and 2,100 cusecs was let out into the Cauvery. Meanwhile, the discharge from Karnataka dams has increased. We hope to complete the restoration work before this water reached here,” he said.
A section of farmers including N.Ganesan, State joint secretary of the Tamil Nadu Milk Producers' Welfare Association, urged the government to take steps to execute the Cauvery, Sarabanga, Thirumanimutharu canal link scheme, which would benefit farmers in Thuraiyur region of the district.
Mr.Rajamani said he would take up this and the demand for executing the Cauvery-Gundar river link project with the State government.
He said that all primary agricultural cooperative credit societies have been directed to extend crop loans to farmers without any hassle.
Village administrative officers have been instructed to provide necessary certification to farmers to get loans. If there was any problem, farmers can bring it to the notice of district administration.
Mr.Ayyakannu alleged that tenant farmers were not being issued certificates by VAOs. Mr.Rajamani assured that the certificates would be issued if the tenant farmer concerned had taken loans previously.
He said about 208 hectares (ha) of paddy crop, 17 ha of sugarcane and 251 ha of banana crop were affected due to overflow of water during the recent heavy discharge in the Cauvery and the Coleroon in Lalgudi, Thottiyam and Andhanallur blocks.
A proposal would be sent to the government for sanction of compensation to the affected farmers.
Source
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