Water Politics!!!
Shreenesh Raman
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Cauvery River near Tiruchy |
Summer time water politics between
Tamilnadu and Karnataka has taken centre stage once again. Farmers in
the Cauvery delta region depend on Mettur water for irrigation.
Meanwhile, the harsh summer prevailing in the region has created
uncertainty among farmers in Thanjavur about the Kuruvai crops.
Karnataka
irrigation department officials in Bangalore they said said the
Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) dam has around 88.90 feet (Friday) of the
124.80 feet maximum capacity. Districts bordering the water
catchments areas, in Mysore and Chamrajnagar are facing acute water
shortage. Karnataka irrigation department official said on condition
of anonymity said, “When the dam crosses 95 feet, Tamilnadu can
expect water.”
Mettur Stanley reservoir has around
79.38 feet of water with an inflow of 3320 cusec. The officials in
public works department said usually water is released when it
reaches 95 feet. With daily outflow of 1TMC average, farmers in the
delta can complete Kuruvai in 40 days. However, both PWD officials
and farmers are doubtful on South West monsoon and Mettur water
release by June 12.
Delta farmers in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur,
Nagapattinam and Karaikal in Pondicherry state are not in a mood to
venture into the fields and start preparation for Kuruvai crops.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister
demanding Cauvery
Water
Disputes
Tribunal
(CWDT)
meeting
has brought hope
among farmers.
Speaking
to Sathyanarayana of Consortium of Cauvery delta farmers association
in Tiruvarur, he said the DMK failed to pressure its partner in the
centre to gazette the tribunal order. He also supported the Chief
Minister for demanding a CWDT meet. As the state is facing severe
power crisis, pump-set owned farmers too are unwilling to cultivate.
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Cauvery Delta Source: Google Images |
Politically,
the Karnataka government is taking advantage understanding the
DMK-AIADMK rift. Farmers in delta region has demand all parties to be
united when fighting in Cauvery issue. Speaking to farmers in
Thanjavur, they said “it is not wise to destroy the ground water
level by using pump sets during monsoon time.”
However,
the agriculture department officials are ready to distribute seeds
and fertiliser once water from Karnataka reaches Mettur. In delta
region, around 1.05 lakh hectare is set to be cultivated in Kuruvai
season.
The
agriculture department has around 3135 tonne of urea, 3634 tonne of
DAP, 3785 tonne of Potash and 3921 tonne of complex fertilisers.
Also, around 486 tonne of seed are in stock and ready for
distribution, said officials. Varieties of ADT 36,43 and 45 are in
adequate numbers to meet the demand, assured agriculture officials.
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