Find two ‘missing’ ponds, get Rs 1 lakh as reward

MADURAI: Want to see your bank account swell by a flat Rs 1 lakh? The answer lies in tracing two tanks that have reportedly gone ‘missing’ from Pannaikudi in Madurai. The reward was announced by State executive member and Madurai zonal in-charge of BJP Youth Wing S Sankarpandi.

In the 200-odd posters pasted across the town to catch eyeballs, Sankarpandi writes: Irrigation Tanks Missing: An irrigation tank situated enroute to Oomatchikulam from Veerapandi Road opposite to the Adi Dravidar Welfare Students Hostel, and the Ammankulam irrigation tank at Pannaikudi village are missing. A reward of Rs 1lakh would be given to people finding out where tanks have vanished.

These posters have become the talking point of the town, with visitors to the Madurai Collectorate, Alanganallur and Oomatchikulam in the district relaying the information to others through word-of-mouth, much to their amusement. According to Sankarpandi, a resident of Oomatchikulam, the tank on Oomatchikulam-Veerapandi section has been encroached upon. “A squatter has filled up the tank with sand and marked a boundary using boulders. The Ammankulam irrigation tank has been converted into a farm by another squatter.”

“Several acres are dependent on these tanks. With these two vanishing, there is no alternative to store water during rainy season. The absence of the tanks is also taking a toll on the groundwater table. Earlier, we could hit water at 200 feet, now we are lucky if we reach water table at 1,000 feet.”  

Sankarpandi says he has put up 200 posters and recently knocked on the doors of the Collector, seeking eviction of encroachers. Revenue officials told Express that the two tanks are Vidathakulam and Ammankulam irrigation tanks. An inquiry has been launched.