The Hindu : National : Protesters stall work on thermal project in Amravati

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Wednesday, Jan 27, 2010
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Protesters stall work on thermal project in Amravati

Staff Reporter

Mumbai: Opposing the diversion of irrigation water, a group of agitators on Monday stalled work on the IndiaBulls thermal power project at Morshi village in Amravati district. C.H. Stalin, Superintendent of Police, Amravati rural, told The Hindu on the phone that the agitators were from the Upper Wardha Paani Bachao Kruti Samiti (a campaign to save water of the Upper Wardha dam). They opposed the diversion of water from the Upper Wardha to the project.

They posted black flags at the project site and reportedly chased away workers. Ex-MLA Sunil Deshmukh, who rallied against water diversion for the project initially, said it would reduce the irrigation potential of Amravati, which was already facing a severe irrigation backlog. He said MLAs from the region had written to Chief Minister Ashok Chavan to scrap the project.

The directives of Maharashtra Governor dated May 2009 state: “The backlog in irrigation sector is mainly concentrated in Vidarbha, particularly in three districts of Amravati revenue division. These districts are also affected by farmer suicides and rural distress.”

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