Protesters demand permanent drinking water scheme to Ajjampura

Demanding the implementation of permanent drinking water projects, the members of Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene staged a semi nude protest on Tuesday. 

The protesters said that Upper Bhadra project should benefit the farmers. About 5.5 TMC water should be stored in Bhadra reservoir in the interest of the farmers. 

Raitha Sangha district unit President Vinayaka Malooru Dinne said “until the State government issues a notification on storage of water, we will not allow the work on Upper Bhadra project.” The protesters shouted slogans against the state government. 

MLA B H Srinivas who visited the protesters appealed to them to stop the protest. He said “the State government has concern for farmers and commonman. The government has given in- principle approval for supplying 0.8 TMC water to streams in the taluk. The farmers should not be panic.” 

He said the State government has given in-principle approval for irrigating 13,500 acre land and flowing water to 52 streams at a cost of Rs 57 crore.   “We have appealed to Minister for Irrigation M B Patil to irrigate 53,240 acre land and supply water to 80 streams, who in turn has responded positively.” 

Rejecting the appeal by the MLA, Raitha Sangha President said “the canals will empty our water sources. There is a need to flow water to four ponds and supply water to each village in the taluk. Hence, there was a need for reserving 5.5 TMC water. The State government should pass a notification in this regard.”