Sukhnandan seeks LG’s intervention over irrigation, power crisis

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 6: Senior BJP leader and former minister Ch Sukhnandan Kumar on Monday expressed serious concern over the deteriorating condition of irrigation and power infrastructure across the Jammu region, alleging that farmers are facing immense hardships during the crucial paddy sowing season due to administrative failure and lack of timely intervention.

In a statement, Sukhnandan said the farming community in R S Pura, Bishnah and Marh belt is battling an unprecedented crisis, with irrigation canals lying uncleansed, several tube wells remaining defunct, damaged irrigation infrastructure, and an erratic power supply severely disrupting agricultural operations.

He said that despite commencement of the sowing season, the authorities have failed to ensure the basic facilities required by farmers, leaving thousands of cultivators anxious about their crops and livelihoods. He alleged that several irrigation wells have been damaged and remain unrepaired, while power outages have compounded the problems of farmers who depend on electric tube wells for irrigation.

The former Minister sought personal intervention of Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to ensure immediate restoration of irrigation facilities, repair of damaged irrigation tube wells and transformers, operationalisation of the receiving station at Lahori Chak, cleaning of irrigation canals, and uninterrupted electricity supply across the affected areas like Sai, Arnia and many other areas.