Farmers scale water tank to demand canal supply for irrigation in villages
BIKANER: Twelve farmers scaled a water tank on Monday in Gorkhana village, demanding canal water supply for irrigation in 14 villages of the district, and have refused to come down despite repeated pleas by police and district administration officials.
According to local people, the farmers are not keen on any negotiation with the district collector on the issue and have alleged negligence and irresponsive attitude on the part of the administration.
Led by zila parishad member, Mnagej Choudhary, the farmers have threatened to jump off unless they were given a written assurance by by division commissioner or irrigation secretary level officer on the matter. Heavy police force, with nets and fire tenders, has been deployed in the area.
Meanwhile, another group of farmers, led by Balwan Poonia, marched towards the Gorkhana minor to take over the regulation head of the canal. Divisional commissioner Suva Lal said: “We are ready for talks at every level but they refuse to budge. The demand is also unjustified. They wanted to irrigate land beyond their command area with canal water, which is unacceptable.”
We are ready for talks at every level but they refuse to budge. The demand is also unjustified. They wanted to irrigate land beyond their command area with canal water, which is unacceptable. SUVA LAL, divisional commissioner