Committee formed for water stir

Members wow to fight for permanent irrigation facility in Chikkaballapur district

He was speaking after inaugurating a programme organised to mark the birth of Permanent Irrigation Action Committee by watering a sapling in Chikballapur on Friday.

The programme was organised at the APMC market premises, which was attended by the leaders of the various parties, elected representatives and representatives of the various associations and organisations.

Inspite of sinking borewells thousands of feet deep, there was no sign of water in the district. Such is the fate of the areas which come under dryland region. If permanent drinking water project is not implemented at the earliest, the district will soon become a desert land, the MLA expressed.

Fluoride, nitrate content

Even water which is available thousands of feet deep is not fit for consumption. There is a high fluoride and nitrate content in the water which is taking a toll on the health of the people of this region. This is a matter of grave concern. The Government should do something concrete in this regard. It should collect detailed information and initiate measures to implement irrigation expert Paramashivaiah’s report in toto, Bachegowda said.

The Government was urged to implement Paramashivaiah’s report in the previous Belgaum Assembly session. To this, the irrigation minister had assured that the report would be sought for within a period of six months. But so far, nothing has been in this regard, Bachegowda added.

To mount pressure

Speaking on the occasion, ryot leader Yaluvahalli N Ramesh explained on the occasion said he and several other ryot leaders were saving money to launch an agitation seeking the implementation of permanent irrigation system in the district. Until and unless the Government met their demand, there was no question of stopping the agitation. All persons, foregoing their party affiliations should take part in this agitation, he said.
Former MLA S V Ashwathnarayan Reddy said the agitations and protests which were held in the last 20 years had failed to yield any results.

Until and unless pressure was mounted on the Government, the demand will be never be met with. Hence, the people should get ready to fight for this cause, he said.

District President of Samatha Mahila Vedike Sushma Shrinivas observed that water was utmost essential for drinking and agriculture purpose in the district.

 All the women members should also extend their support to this agitation, she added.
K Narayanappa, Narasim-happa of Raitha Sangha,  CMC President M Prakash, Peresandra P N Keshava Reddy of Congress, Zilla Krishika Samaja President  Chadalapura Narayanaswamy and others spoke on the occasion.

Chintamani Muniswamy, Mandikal Narayanaswamy, K P Navamohan, B V Anand, Chikkanahalli Narayana Swamy, A V Byre Gowda, Gokul Nanjappa and others were present on the occasion.