Farmers demand water supply for crops till Dec. 30

KALABURAGI Farmers under the banner of the All India Kisan Khet Mazdoor Sangathan (AIKKMS) staged a protest in Ballari on Thursday demanding that water be released to the HLC and LLC canals until December 30 to ensure that standing crops are saved. Hundreds of farmers took out a procession from Gandhi Bhavan to the Deputy Commissioner’s office where they staged a demonstration against the proposed discontinuation of canal water supply on November 20.

Addressing the protesters, AIKKMS district president Govinda said that farmers have invested heavily in cultivation by borrowing money amid rising input costs. With crops nearing maturity, stopping water supply on November 20 will deprive them of the opportunity to harvest their produce, he said.

He pointed out that more than 96 tmcft of water has been stored in the Tungabhadra reservoir this year and questioned the State government’s decision not to ensure water supply even for one crop.