District Collector V. Sampath has ordered talks in the presence of District Revenue Officer for solving the controversy over the release of water from Aanaimaduvu dam in the district.
The Aanaimaduvu dam was constructed across River Vasishta.
The construction of this dam paved way for farm activities in about 5,000 acres through canal system in Anaiyal, Puzhuthikottai, Kurichi, Konanchettiyur, Neermullikottai, Kolathukoppai, and C. N. Palayam villages. However, storage of water in the dam affected farm activities under the river and tank cultivation in villages such as Kurichi, Belur, Athanurpatti, Kottavali, Yethapur, Bethanayakkanpalayam that are situated on the river bed. The farmers of these villages have been demanding the release of first water for them for many years.
Following widespread rainfall received by the district in the recent past, the water level in the dam rose to 44 feet mark.
The farmers of the villages on river bunds demanded the release of water.
The Public Works Department officials on Thursday held a meeting with the farmers’ representatives of both the groups. Sivakumar, Assistant Executive Engineer, presided over the meeting.
The canal system farmers insisted that water from the dam should be released only after February 2016. However, farmers dependant on river and tank system demanded immediate release of water. This issue echoed at the farmers’ grievances day meeting held on Friday.
K. V. Vetrimani of Kottavadi questioned the PWD authorities for holding the meeting on Thursday. He said that as per the Government order, the sluices of the dam should not be closed at all. This was opposed by the rival farmers group, who too were present in good number. Mr. Sivakumar explained that the meeting with the farmers’ representatives was held to discuss the judicious use of available water in the dam.
The members of both the groups marched towards to Collector at the farmers’ grievances day meeting to press for their respective demands.
The Collector pacified both the groups. He directed S. Selvaraj, District Revenue Officer, to hold negotiations with both the groups to sort out the issue.
