Farmers in Old Mysore region demand release of water to the irrigation canals

Mysuru: Anger among farmers in the Old Mysore region over the release of water from the Kabini and Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoirs to neighbouring Tamil Nadu has refused to die down, and the rage spilled over on to the streets on Monday, with members of the State Sugarcane Growers’ Association, and activists of the Kabini Hitharakshana Samithi protesting the decision.
The protesters gathered at the Command Area Development Authority (CADA) Office in Mysuru, and raised slogans against the government and officials. Demanding the release of water to irrigation canals, and steps to fill up lakes and tanks in the region, the farmers gave vent to their disappointment with the negligent attitude of the bickering leaders.
President of the sugarcane farmers’ association Kuruburu Shantakumar said that the ryots in Karnataka were disgusted with the politicians, who were focused entirely on grabbing power, and not in the welfare of their subjects. “They appear to be blind to the plight of farmers, struggling to make ends meet. We don’t need such irresponsible leaders. The officials in the state are releasing water to Tamil Nadu at a time when the canals in Mandya and Mysuru are running dry. The problem is there are no elected representatives to question their actions,” said Shantakumar.
Pointing out that nearly 75 to 80% of the inflow was being released to Tamil Nadu – release of 4,000 cusecs to Tamil Nadu against an inflow of 5,000 cusecs, for instance – Shantakumar said that farmers in the Kabini catchment area would not have sufficient water for one crop if the state of affairs prevailed. “Farmers should descend on the streets and protest this injustice,” he added.
Another farmer leader Athanahalli Devaraj pointed out that the Kabini Dam had recorded an inflow of 9,000 cusecs, and demanded release of water to the irrigation canals. “The survival of our crops is at stake,” he said.
Hallikerehundi Bhagyaraj and Kirugusuru Shankar were among the other farmer leaders who participated in the protest.