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Canal system in Hirakud to be repaired

BHUBANESWAR: Even as the farmers’ agitation against diversion of water from Hirakud reservoir to industries continues in the western region of the State, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday announced that the government would spend Rs. 200 crores in the next three years to repair and strengthen the canal system in the Hirakud command area.

Mr. Patnaik’s announcement came after he met a large group of farmers from the western Orissa districts discussed about the water shortage they were facing for irrigating their land.

The farmers, who held discussions with the Chief Minister, were reportedly called to the capital city by a group of ruling Biju Janata Dal legislators from that region.

When contacted, Paschim Orissa Krushak Sangathan Samanwaya Samiti (POKSS) leader Lingaraj said that the government had not contacted their organisation for the talks.

The Opposition parties have all extended their support to the demands of the POKSS which has been opposing diversion of water from Hirakud to industries on the ground that it would affect agriculture in the region. The farmers were already facing water shortage as the water from the reservoir was not reaching the tail ends of the canals in the command area.

Mr. Patnaik made the announcement even as main opposition Congress staged a demonstration in Sambalpur town during the day to announce its support to the farmers’ demands. The party also announced to hold a massive farmers’ rally in Sambalpur on December 2.

More than 30 farmers had been injured when police lathi-charged them while they were holding a demonstration at Hirakud on November 6.

The opposition parties had taken up the issue in the Sate Assembly in a big way stalling the proceedings for five consecutive days last week demanding a discussion on the issue and voting on the question whether water of Hirakud was meant for farmers or industries.

On the other hand, the Chief Minister has been reiterating that water meant for the farmers would not be given to industries, meaning water from the reservoir would be given to industries after meeting the requirement for irrigation.

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