Members of the Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham, Nalgonda district unit, on Friday laid siege to the office of the Irrigation branch executive engineer, marking the conclusion of their four-day dharna demanding expeditious completion of several small irrigation projects, work of which has been going at a slow pace.
Farmers drove out the office staff and staged a sit-in under the leadership of N. Narasimha Reddy, CPI (M) district secretary, and sangham leaders Mallu Nagarjuna and B. Srisailam, who is general secretary of the sangham's local unit.
Addressing the protestors, the sangham leaders demanded completion of Pillaipalli, Muniyadigani, Bollepalli, Dharmareddy and Kottapu Muthadi projects, alleging that the delay in their completion was due to the 'indifference' of officials and lack of proper government supervision. Even the slow pace of work was intended to only benefit the contractors, they charged.
The leaders said when completed the projects would result in availability of irrigation water in 12 mandals, improving the groundwater and increased growth of fodder for cattle.
