(MOREPIC1) Abohar (Face2News)
Legislator Sandeep Jakhar said in a statement that the AAP government did not take care of the farmers who had been camping on the roads in Abohar sub division facing 44-degree temperature and humidity. This exposed the tall claim of AAP being farmers-friendly.
He said that in order to provide relief to the farmers during the time of the previous government, half a dozen canals were reconstructed with modern technology at a cost of Rs 25 crores of rupees and adequate budget was fixed for the repair of the main canals. It was our endeavor that the farmers had to face the least amount of trouble. By improving water management, every effort was made to bring water to the villages located on the tail-end. Despite the unfavorable climate, farmers were able to get a good crop and record-breaking prices for cotton, but the current government's water management has been paralyzed after the assembly elections in March.(SUBHEAD)
Jakhar said that erosion in Sirhind canal has ruined all the hopes of the farmers in Malwa region of Punjab and neighbouring districts in Rajasthan. There has been a huge crisis of drinking water. When the orchards were in dire need of water, the plants dried up due to the closure of canals and many gardeners were so disappointed that they uprooted the fruit plants. Poor water management affected sowing of cotton and other crops. The government did not choose the right time to close the canals in rotation and despite assurances from ministers and officials, farmers are protesting in frustration.
Irrigation Department XEN Ramandeep Singh Mann said rotation system has to be implemented due to deficient rain in May and June. Efforts were being made to provide water to the tail end villages through other sub canals.
SDM Ravinder Singh Arora appealed to farmers unions to end the protest that had put the public at large to inconvenience.
Some of the transporters said vehicles carrying perishable vegetables, fruits and other essentials have been stranded for the past about 72 hours, this will cause a huge loss besides problems for the consumers.
