The Rajya Raitha Sangha is contemplating legal recourse against State government’s decision to stop flow of water in the Bhadra canal from June 1 to December 31.
   Addressing a press conference in the City on Monday, Raitha Sangha leader K T Gangadhar said that the Government had undertaken modernisation works in great haste. Since farmers in the command area of Bhadra reservoir are expected to suffer heavy loss due to modernisation work, the Raitha Sangha is contemplating legal action against the Government, he stated.
   The Government is undertaking modernisation work without preparation. The work will stretch beyond stipulated time as construction material required for the purpose is not stocked. As many as 40,000 truck-load of sand is required for the works but only 20,000 loads can be collected from the river banks in the region. In monsoon since rivers in Malnad gush in speed, collecting of sand is impossible.
   Work related to asphalting roads in the district is facing shortage of boulders. Similar problems are expected in canal modernisation also.
   The monsoon which will gain momentum by the end of June will stall the modernisation work. Owing to these problems it is impossible to complete the work within stipulated time, he remarked.
   The schedule of modernisation work should be modified and be planned according to cropping pattern in the region. The farmers who forsake a crop for modernisation should be compensated. Funds allotted under various schemes like Prime Minister relief package should be used for the purpose. Water should be provided for standing crops through distribution by feeder canals, he demanded.
White paper
   The Water Resource Minister has taken a unilateral decision regarding modernisation work without consulting farmers. Since nature of work is mechanical, it can be completed within 2-3 months’ time. However the Government has fixed 7 months time keeping the interests of contractors in mind. K T Gangadhar also demanded for a white paper on the modernisation process including issue of tender notification, cost, time frame, agency and others issues involved in the process.