Government responds to farmers’ struggle

Mahbubnagar: The government has finally responded to the intense agitation launched by the Jurala ayacut farmers for the release of irrigation water from the Jurala project to protect their drying crops

The agitating farmers had alleged the government’s negligence towards the irrigation water needs of the crops cultivated on the Priyadarshini Jurala project in the joint Mahabubnagar district. The authorities, which came down with the blockade of farmers’ roads and the opposition’s resistance, opened the sluice gates of the right and left canals of the Priyadarshini Jurala project on Wednesday morning and released water.

The ayacut farmers expressed their deep anger over the authorities’ attitude that they were giving priority only to drinking water instead of releasing water to the canals.

They paralysed transport with road blockades and dharnas. With the opposition BJP and BRS declaring full support for the farmers’ struggle, the pressure on the field increased tremendously.

Alerted by the farmers’ agitations intensifying day-by-day, the Telangana government, under the leadership of CM Revanth Reddy, conducted an emergency review. The representatives of the joint Palamuru district rushed to Karnataka and met Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

It is learnt that the Karnataka government has responded favorably to release water from the Almatti Dam after explaining the seriousness of the farmers’ problem. Currently, due to the rains in the upper reaches of Jurala, the Jurala project is receiving an inflow of 2,500 cusecs. Keeping in mind the water coming from Karnataka in addition to this inflow, the authorities have urgently released water to the right and left canals.

The farmers of Ayacut are expressing joy that the united struggle of the food suppliers has yielded results and water has been provided to the drying crops.

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The Hans India