Even as farmers were demanding at least three more turns of wetting to save the standing paddy crops, Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao was non-committal on extension of water release for irrigation beyond January 22 for the double-crop area.
However, Mr. Rao formed seven special teams to monitor proper irrigation at different reaches on 45,000 acres between Peranai and Kallandiri after farmers complained of poor realisation of water at various places, especially tail-end areas.
During the farmers’ grievance redressal meeting held here on Friday, the Collector formed teams comprising Public Works Department engineers, farmers and officials from Revenue and Agriculture Departments to monitor water realisation at seven crucial spots from Friday till Monday. They would record the inflow at those points for every three hours.
Earlier, Tamil Nadu Cane Growers Association president N. Palanichamy accused the PWD officials of violating the compendium of rules that stipulated the order of release of water for different reaches in Periyar-Vaigai irrigation system.
“Under the rules, water should be released for single crop area before it is released for Tirumangalam Main Canal and parts of Theni district. The officials were forced to violate rules as Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and Revenue Minister R.B. Udhayakumar put pressure on the PWD officials for out-of-turn release,” he said.
Only because of this violation, farmers of double-crop area were now suffering with short supply of water, he said.
A few farmers, holding withered paddy crop, squatted in front of the dais, seeking extension of water release. A progressive farmer, Buthisigamani, wanted at least three more turns of water release to save standing crop.
“We all know the storage position in the dams. We need to reserve at least 700 mcft of water in Vaigai dam to take care of drinking water for Madurai Corporation, various panchayats and towns for the next five months,” the Collector said.
He also directed the PWD officials to bring maximum permissible water from Periyar dam and store it in Vaigai dam.
When many farmers complained of short supply of water in their areas, the Collector asked the PWD officials to be transparent in the quantum of water released to each area.
“Already we are facing water shortage. If your functioning is not transparent, then the farmers will doubt your functioning,” he said.
When a farmer, Murugan of Sholavandan, complained that several motor pumps were used for illegal tapping of water, the Collector ordered revenue officials to seize them.
“Ensure that those involved in illegal tapping are arrested,” he said.
Another farmer, T. Tirumurugan of Sholavandan, complained that the paddy crop was only 70 days old. “We need to irrigate it for 50 more days. But, we can save the crop if at least three more turns are given,” he said.
