A team of officials led by Tahsildar G.S. Mahajan disconnected at least 10 diesel pumpsets following complaints of farmers drawing water from Ghataprabha river for irrigation purposes in some villages along the river in Gokak taluk during the last four to five days.
Electricity connections to the pumpsets were disconnected and connected pipes were also removed as the farmers in Masguppi, Sunadholi and a few other villages were found drawing water from the river. The water was being released from Hidkal dam for drinking purpose to the villages of Mudhol and Bagalkot taluks.
The Krishna Neeravari Nigam Limited (KNNL) started releasing around 3,600 cusecs of water from the Hidkal dam in Hukkeri taluk of Belagavi district every day since April 7 towards supply of drinking water to drought-hit villages along the banks of Ghataprabha river in Mudhol and Bagalkot taluks. It was decided to release1.90 tmc ft. of water from the dam to the two taluks. Accordingly, the gates were opened on April 7 and would be closed by Wednesday evening, official sources at the Hidkal dam told The Hindu .
Sources said the government had warned farmers against drawing water for other than drinking purposes. But, some farmers ignored the warning and drew water to irrigate their fields to protect their standing crops.
Mr. Mahajan said his team was monitoring the water release and keeping a vigil. Additional Deputy Commissioner Suresh Itnal in Belagavi said the team was visiting the sites as and when complaints were received and disconnecting the diesel pumpsets.
