Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Apr, 13
Former Minister and Provincial President, Jammu, Manjit Singh has demanded canal water supply to the tail-end border villages where farmers have been rendered helpless without an irrigation facility.
The former minister Manjit Singh chaired a meeting of farmers at village Hira Chak in Ramgarh which was organized by District President Youth Jammu Urban, Shubam Choudhary.
In his address, Manjit Singh said that the farmers cultivating world famous basmati rice are facing negligence from the irrigation department which has completely failed to ensure canal water to the tail-end villages along the International Border.
“The fields are fertile yet the concerned department has not taken any serious step towards the resolution of demands of the farmers,” said Manjit Singh.
He said that the concerned department should ensure Ravi Tawi and Chenab River canal water to the border’s end villages. However, if they could not do it, the Govt should step in to make sure that the farmers are provided electricity 24/7 in the border villages.
“Since the canal water is not available at the tail end villagers, the farmers use water pumps as an alternative source to water their fertile fields. However, the electricity supply remains disrupted,” said Manjit Singh.
The Former Minister said that if the farmers are provided electricity as an option to the canal water, they can use groundwater for irrigation purposes in their fields and it would strengthen the farmers financially.
He said that the department concerned should not ignore the demands of the farmers who are the backbone of the rural economy. Block President, Bachan Choudhary among others were also present on the occasion. “The Irrigation Department should come out with a permanent solution by establishing water tube wells in the border belt of Samba District to provide ample water to the farmers,” he suggested.
