Constant fear of being attacked by the Maoists and the frequent bandhs called by the extremists is taking a toll on plans of revamping the irrigation infrastructure of the eleven blocks of the three south-western districts of West Bengal hit by Left-wing extremist activity as contractors shy away from working in the trouble-torn areas.
The topography of the districts is such that even as several rivers flow through them, a majority of the areas dominated by the Maoists is highland and rain water is the only source of water supply for agriculture purpose there.
The situation, however, turns critical in those years when there is no adequate rainfall – like in 2009 when the farmers had to face huge losses due to lack of proper rains.
“In the given scenario, developing a well-knit irrigation system based on the three major rivers – Kansabati, Silai and Subarnarekha – is very important to uplift the agricultural sector. The problem, however, is the regular bandhs and the fear of being extorted or harmed by the Maoists that forbids the contractors from working on projects here though they are quite forthcoming about working in other parts of the district,” Paschim Medinipur's District Magistrate Narayan Swarup Nigam told The Hindu on Thursday.
Mr. Nigam pointed out that the building of more than 100 check dams, 50 mini tube-wells and setting up of a ‘lift irrigation system' are on the cards for the five affected blocks in his district in 2011 and funds have been allotted by the State Government for the same.
He added that 25 mini-tube wells were bored in the Jhargram sub-division in 2009.
The projects are being executed by several State Government departments like forest, soil conservation and irrigation among others and their engineers are being specially trained to work in the strife-torn areas but the absence of enough contractors is holding up the work.
“Even the World Bank has a special project for minor irrigation in the region. Migration of people is a serious issue in the absence of a proper irrigation infrastructure which needs to be checked,” Mr. Nigam said.
Asked about the remedy to the issue, he said that the situation could look up if the State Government announces certain financial incentives for the contractors to take up work in these areas.
“We have sent several proposals to the State Government to the effect and they are under consideration,” he added.
The State's Minister of Irrigation and Waterways, Subhas Naskar, however, said that his department has not received any such proposal so far.
