Date:01/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/01/stories/2005010103990300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

TDP MLA launches protest for water release

By Our Staff Reporter

ANANTAPUR, DEC. 31. The Uravakonda MLA and TDP whip, P. Keshav, launched a protest at the Tungabhadra HLC circle office here demanding release of water to the Guntakal branch canal to save the standing crop on 12,000 acres.

The MLA, along with some farmers and his supporters, arrived at the office at 2 p.m and is camping there following the district administration's "failure" to release water.

`Promise not fulfilled'

The Minister for Major Irrigation, P. Lakshmaiah, and the officials had promised to release water from January 1. To ensure that the officials fulfil their promise, Mr. Keshav went to the HLC office and took up the issue with the officials. However, the HLC Superintendent Engineer, Jilani Basha, said a decision to release water could be taken only after speaking to his higher ups. The legislator then said he would camp in the office till there was a concrete assurance from the officials concerned.

Stating that chilli was cultivated as an irrigated dry crop under GBC in about 12,000 acres, he said the farmers had invested about Rs. 20,000 per acre so far. "However, the crop would wither if water is not released and the farmers' may resort to the extreme step if the government fails to release water," Mr. Keshav said.

Other sub-canal systems under HLC had overdrawn the water beyond their prorata allocation. But, the GBC was denied such a sop. The farmers were hoping that about 1,000 cusecs would be released, he said.

The District Collector, Y.V. Anuradha, spoke to the legislator and assured to release water from January 3. But, Mr. Keshav refused to call off his agitation.

Meanwhile, the TDP Polit Bureau member, K. Srinivasulu, spoke to the Major Irrigation Minister over the telephone and the latter is said to have reiterated the assurance.