Raichur: The Karnataka Raitha Sangha has decided to gherao officials of the Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam (KBJN) if steps are not taken to complete the repair work on the 49th km stretch of the Narayanpura Right Bank Canal (NRBC) and resume water supply within two days.

Addressing presspersons here on Thursday, R. Manasaiah, president of the sangha, said the canal irrigates 45,000 hectares of land in the command areas of Lingsugur and Deodurga taluks.

But water supply in the lower command areas of Deodurga taluk and parts of Lingsugur taluk has been affected owing to a breach at the 49th km stretch of the canal. Paddy and groundnut crops on 12,000 hectares of land in the two taluks would wither if there is further delay in water supply.

He said that a team of the sangha led by him, which visited the canal on Wednesday, found that the repair work commenced only two days ago.

Only a few workers have been engaged, and the work is not progressing as desired, he said.

Mr. Manasaiah said that B.B. Rampure, Chief Engineer of the Rodalbanda Division of the KBJN, told the team that the work will be completed in the next two days and water supply will be resumed by Friday.

He said that Minister for Sports and Youth Services Hanumanthappa Alkod visited the canal and promised farmers that the repair work will be completed at the earliest.

The Minister and the officials of the KBJN are misleading the farmers by making such promises, he alleged.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail