The cadre of the Kongunadu Jananayaga Katchi (KJK) staged a demonstration in front of the Collectorate here on Sunday to press for better water management.
G.K. Nagaraj, president of the party, who led the agitation said that the agitation was to demand filling up all the water bodies in Dharmapuri district with the surplus water of Hogenakkal Combined Drinking Water Scheme once a year for undertaking farm activities, and construction of a dam across River Thenpennaiyar at Sennakkal in Harur union.
The party also demanded filling up of Thool Setti Lake with the water of River Thenpennaiyar by digging a canal for retrieving the farmers of Palacode union from the clutches of drought.
Yet another demand of the party was construction of a reservoir at Thollaikaathu village.
Mr. Nagaraj said that he visited various parts of Dharmapuri district in the last one week to survey the drought conditions prevailing here and to listen to the grievances of the people.
The locals complained that due to the recurring drought, the groundwater table has gone down alarmingly from 100 feet to more than 1,000 feet.
There is no water even for the cattle, leave alone for farm activities.
He said that the farmers of Sennakkal area informed him that implementing a dam project across Thenpennaiyar, will enable in bringing about 25,000 acres under cultivation.
The construction of a check dam at Thollaikaathu area will enable in filling more than 50 lakes in various villages which in turn will help farm activities in about one lakh acres. The Chief Minister has already given assurances in this regard during different elections.
Mr. Nagaraj urged the government to declare Dharmapuri a drought-hit district and provide adequate compensation to the affected farmers.
