While few sub-merged swathes require de-watering, there are many where there is no water at all, say aggrieved farmers
Babar Rather
Bandipora, June 17 (GNS): Farmers from various areas, including Ajas and Chinpazpora, held a protest demonstration here on Saturday against the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) department over sudden snapping of electricity supply to the lifting irrigation scheme Churthangoo.
Talking to GNS, the farmers expressed their grievances regarding the jurisdictional dispute between KPDCL Subdivision Hajin and KPDCL Division Bandipora. According to the farmers, the power agreement for the irrigation scheme, at Churthangoo, was originally registered with KPDCL Subdivision Hajin. “However, due to the shifting of the high-tension line and tubular poles from Babdub to Zadoo, the jurisdictional division was changed from Sumbal to Bandipora.”
“Initially, KPDCL Bandipora provided electricity to the scheme for two days, giving hope to the farmers. However, the supply was abruptly disconnected, with KPDCL officials citing that the scheme was not under the agreement of Bandipora division,” they said.
“While a few swathes have sub-merged due to excess water, there are many (swathes) where there isn’t any water at all”, the aggrieved farmers said. “It then again is the prerogative of the KPDCL to facilitate the de-watering of the inundated land, however with nothing being done on the ground it is we farmers who are facing the brunt.”
The farmers argue that this matter should be resolved officially and not be a cause for them to suffer, especially when their main agricultural crop is at stake.
In an attempt to address the issue, as learnt by GNS, the Executive Engineer of Mechanical Irrigation Division Shadipora has sent a letter to the Executive Engineer (Exen) of KPDCL Bandipora on the 15th of this month. The letter has primarily highlighted the fact that the scheme was already in agreement with Electric Subdivision Hajin under the jurisdiction of ED Sumbal.
The Executive Engineer Mechanical Irrigation Division, as learnt, has requested the Exen KPDCL Bandipora to take over the scheme and provide electricity for its operationalization.
However, attempts to contact Exen KPDCL Bandipora for comments didn’t fructify as he did not respond to repeated calls from this reporter.
Desperate for a resolution, the farmers have now requested the intervention of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Bandipora.
They have urged the DC to mediate and direct the concerned departments to promptly resolve the matter. The farmers in the meantime emphasized for an immediate action to save hundreds of kanals of valuable agricultural land from further damage. (GNS)
