Massive Farmers’ Protest in Jalahalli Against Unscientific NRBC Water Rotation System
Jalahalli | Breaking News
Massive Farmers’ Protest in Jalahalli Against Unscientific NRBC Water Rotation System
Farmers withdraw protest after receiving written assurance from officials; demand for adequate power supply to pump sets accepted
Jalahalli, Sept. 30: A massive protest was held at Ambedkar Circle in Jalahalli village of Devadurga taluk, Raichur district, on Wednesday, opposing the unscientific water rotation system currently being followed for the NRBC (Narayanapura Right Bank Canal) and demanding adequate electricity supply to farmers’ pump sets.
The protest was organized under the leadership of the Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS) and Water Users’ Associations.
Farmers demanded that the existing system of supplying canal water for 14 days followed by a 10-day closure be changed to a more scientific rotation of 14 days of water supply followed by 7 days of closure.
They also demanded necessary measures to ensure that adequate water reaches agricultural lands located at the tail-end of the NRBC canals. The farmers urged the authorities to permanently resolve the problems faced by tail-end farmers in getting their share of irrigation water.
Another major demand was to provide seven hours of continuous and quality electricity during daytime to farmers’ pump sets.
Addressing the protest, KPRS District President Basavanthrayagowda alleged that attempts were being made to create caste-based divisions among farmers to weaken their unity. He also alleged that efforts were being made to prevent farmers from participating in the agitation and called upon farmers to remain alert and united in fighting for their rights.
Farmers Must Question Politicians
State labour leader Comrade Shabbir of Jalahalli said farmers should learn to question political leaders in the region if canals in Devadurga taluk are to be improved and water is to reach agricultural fields properly.
Unscientific Water Rotation System
KPRS Raichur District Secretary Comrade Narasanna Nayak alleged that the existing NRBC water rotation system itself was unscientific. He alleged that the system was the result of decisions that failed to ensure proper water supply to farmers and claimed that the rotation system was part of a conspiracy to divert or sell water to industries.
Following written assurances from officials of the KBJNL Irrigation Department and the JESCOM Department regarding the farmers’ demands, the protesters withdrew the agitation.
The protest was attended by KPRS District President Basavanthrayagowda, District Secretary Narasanna Nayak, KPRS Taluk President Hanumantha Gurikar, Water Users’ Association President Shivaraj Yarakamatthi, State Labour Leader Shabbir Jalahalli, Hanumantha Madival, Durugappa Rampali, Sabanna Hugar, Siddappa Gumedar, Lakkappa Chinchodi, Huseinappa Guttedar, Vasu Makaldoddi, Mudeppa Patil, KRAVE leader Tammanna Herundi, D. Veerendra Gowda, Rangappa Mural, Basavaraj Mandalagudda, Sanjeev Reddy, Veeresh Arakera, Abdul Rahman Qureshi, Timmanna Bankaldoddi and hundreds of farmers from various villages, along with leaders of different political parties and office-bearers of various organizations.
Report: Khaja Hussain Baba, JalahalliI
Massive Farmers’ Protest in Jalahalli Against Unscientific NRBC Water Rotation System
Farmers withdraw protest after receiving written assurance from officials; demand for adequate power supply to pump sets accepted
Jalahalli, Sept. 30: A massive protest was held at Ambedkar Circle in Jalahalli village of Devadurga taluk, Raichur district, on Wednesday, opposing the unscientific water rotation system currently being followed for the NRBC (Narayanapura Right Bank Canal) and demanding adequate electricity supply to farmers’ pump sets.
The protest was organized under the leadership of the Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS) and Water Users’ Associations.
Farmers demanded that the existing system of supplying canal water for 14 days followed by a 10-day closure be changed to a more scientific rotation of 14 days of water supply followed by 7 days of closure.
They also demanded necessary measures to ensure that adequate water reaches agricultural lands located at the tail-end of the NRBC canals. The farmers urged the authorities to permanently resolve the problems faced by tail-end farmers in getting their share of irrigation water.
Another major demand was to provide seven hours of continuous and quality electricity during daytime to farmers’ pump sets.
Addressing the protest, KPRS District President Basavanthrayagowda alleged that attempts were being made to create caste-based divisions among farmers to weaken their unity. He also alleged that efforts were being made to prevent farmers from participating in the agitation and called upon farmers to remain alert and united in fighting for their rights.
Farmers Must Question Politicians
State labour leader Comrade Shabbir of Jalahalli said farmers should learn to question political leaders in the region if canals in Devadurga taluk are to be improved and water is to reach agricultural fields properly.
Unscientific Water Rotation System
KPRS Raichur District Secretary Comrade Narasanna Nayak alleged that the existing NRBC water rotation system itself was unscientific. He alleged that the system was the result of decisions that failed to ensure proper water supply to farmers and claimed that the rotation system was part of a conspiracy to divert or sell water to industries.
Following written assurances from officials of the KBJNL Irrigation Department and the JESCOM Department regarding the farmers’ demands, the protesters withdrew the agitation.
The protest was attended by KPRS District President Basavanthrayagowda, District Secretary Narasanna Nayak, KPRS Taluk President Hanumantha Gurikar, Water Users’ Association President Shivaraj Yarakamatthi, State Labour Leader Shabbir Jalahalli, Hanumantha Madival, Durugappa Rampali, Sabanna Hugar, Siddappa Gumedar, Lakkappa Chinchodi, Huseinappa Guttedar, Vasu Makaldoddi, Mudeppa Patil, KRAVE leader Tammanna Herundi, D. Veerendra Gowda, Rangappa Mural, Basavaraj Mandalagudda, Sanjeev Reddy, Veeresh Arakera, Abdul Rahman Qureshi, Timmanna Bankaldoddi and hundreds of farmers from various villages, along with leaders of different political parties and office-bearers of various organizations.
Report: Khaja Hussain Baba, JalahalliI