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Row over dam water release ends

Special Correspondent

Water requirements for irrigation and drinking purposes will be kept in mind

JAIPUR: The Rajasthan Government has decided to continue the release of water from Alniya dam in Kota district for both irrigation and drinking purposes following an unseemly controversy involving the local farmers and political leaders. The issue took political colour as the released water was supposed to irrigate areas falling in the adjoining Assembly constituency.

The matter was sorted out by direct talks between the Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Ramganjmandi, Prahlad Gunjal -- in whose constituency the Alniya dam is situated -- and the Parliamentary Secretary in charge of the Information and Public Relations Department, Bhawani Singh Rajawat, who represents Ladpura constituency.

The farmers in Mandana, near Ramganjmandi, had expressed their resentment over the Irrigation Department's decision to release water from the dam for irrigating the region falling in neighbouring Ladpura. They pointed out that releasing water would create drinking water problems for them from January next year.

Mr. Gunjal's sympathy for farmers in Mandana was seen as a point of confrontation with his party colleague, Mr. Rajawat. The district administration, sensing the trouble, intervened to evolve a consensus over sharing of waters through direct talks between the two leaders. Both Mr. Rajawat and Mr. Gunjal agreed that the existing formula for utilisation of water would be maintained.

Mr. Rajawat announced at a meeting, attended by the Collector, Niranjan Arya, and the Irrigation Department officials in Kota on Tuesday that the maximum utilisation of water drawn from Alniya dam would be for irrigation, while the drinking water requirements would be "kept in mind".

The formula has been in operation for the past several years.

Mr. Rajawat pointed out that the Chambal river was a blessing for the people in Kota region and there had never been any discord over the distribution of water from the dams and distributaries constructed on it. He said the Alniya waters would be utilised for providing drinking water to the cattle as well.

Calling upon the farmers in the command area to make optimum utilisation of the available water, Mr. Rajawat said raising people's passions on the issue was not justified. He instructed the irrigation officials to check illegal drawing of water from the dam's reservoir.

The meeting was informed that the release of water from Alniya dam had started on November 7 and would continue till the month-end to cater to the irrigation needs of the rabi crops.

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