Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 16: Former Minister and senior BJP leader, Sukhnandan Choudhary, today highlight the pressing issues faced by the farmers due to the negligence of the National Conference (NC) Government in maintaining irrigation infrastructure.
Addressing a press conference along with Dr. Pardeep Mahotra, Media in charge, J&K BJP, at party Headquarters in Trikuta Nagar, here, Choudhary expressed serious concern over the failure of the concerned authorities in cleaning and desilting of 74 minor canals falling under Irrigation Division-1 and near about 150 others falling under Divisions-II and Akhnoor Division. He stated that these canals are a vital source of irrigation for a large number of farmers in the region, and their current neglected condition has severely affected agricultural activities. As the desilting of main canals has been done by the Department and water has already been thrown open in these canals but it is of no use till the desilting of minor canals is being done. If the water will not reach up to the tail end what is purpose of doing all this, he asked?.
Choudhary pointed out that the accumulation of silt, debris, etc in these canals has obstructed the proper flow of water, depriving farmers of irrigation during a crucial period for crop cultivation. Paddy sowing season is about to start within two weeks time but the concerned departments are still not waking up to cleaning all these minor canals.”Farmers are the backbone of our economy, and such apathy towards their basic needs is unacceptable,” he added.
He criticized the irresponsive behaviour of the NC Government towards the farming community of Jammu division in particular as the issues of farmers of Jammu division always remain unheard, such as timely providing of fertilizers, seeds or desilting of minor canals.
He added that neglecting the genuine issues of farming community is causing not only economic distress but also emotional hardships for farmers who depend entirely on these water resources for their livelihoods.
Choudhary appealed to the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, to personally intervene in the matter and ensure that immediate corrective measures are to be taken.
He urged the administration to initiate a comprehensive cleaning drive of all minor canals under all the divisions of the Jammu province and to establish a regular maintenance mechanism to prevent such issues in the future.
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