PADDY SOWING SEASON ABOUT TO START; Farmers worried over poor condition of canals

PADDY SOWING SEASON ABOUT TO START
Farmers worried over poor condition of canals
Archit Watts/TNS

Chadwal (Kathua), May 26
Even as the paddy sowing season is round the corner, the authorities concerned seem to be in deep slumber, as most of the canals meant for supplying water for irrigation have dried up.

Only a week is left for the crop sowing season, but the dilapidated condition of the canals and their distributaries is still a major concern for farmers. “The paddy crop requires adequate amount of water during its initial days of sowing and if it does not receive enough water, the sapling wilts and dies. The condition of the canals and their distributaries is very poor and most of them are dry, thus adding to our worries,” said Harjeet Singh, a farmer at Chadwal village.

He said the department concerned had totally failed in performing its duty. “The situation is worsening with every passing year and if it remains the same for the next few years, we will have no option but to change our occupation,” Harjeet added. A visit to various villages in the region, including the Kathua, Samba and RS Pura areas, revealed that the situation was almost similar everywhere

“The condition of the canals speaks much about the functioning of the department concerned,” said Narinder Singh, another farmer.

Narinder alleged that there was a nexus between officials of the Irrigation Department and the Agriculture Department. “This is the basic reason why no one pays attention or bothers about our plight,” he added.

Chaudhary Devraj, president of the Rice Growers Association, also accused the state government for not providing an adequate amount of water for irrigation.

“Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other ministers speak a lot about their work, but the reality is different. No work has been done to facilitate the rice growers of this area. The sowing season is about to start and if the government is really serious to solve the problems of the farming community, they should take some serious and speedy steps to save the farmers,” said Devraj.

However, Irrigation Minister Taj Mohi-ud-Din has recently said they had done their job and there was nothing to worry. “Water has been released in most of the canals and de-silting process has also been finished,” he said.

Courtesy: The Tribune