The farmers protest outside the administrative office of Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigama Limited (KBJNL) in Bheemarayanagudi in Shahapur taluk demanding to release water from Basavasagar reservoir to Narayanapur Left Branch Canal (NLBC) to save standing crops, mainly chilli in the command area, has continued even after 20 consecutive days.
Deputy Commissioner B. Susheela and other higher officers at the district headquarters had come to the spot on Friday to convince the farmers to end the protest since the water level in the reservoir is not favorable for water to crops. But, the farmers explained the situation and said that they would face loss if water was not released and declared that they would continue the protest.
“Farmers had commenced protesting on December 18 demanding water for chilli crop till end of February. But, the present water storage stood at 9.35 tmcft in Basavasagar reservoir in Yadgir district and 46 tmcft in Alamatti dam in Vijayapur district. The said water is reserved for drinking purpose for Kalaburagi, Vijayapur, Raichur and Yadgir districts. However, the demand of the farmers had been sent to the State government. Meanwhile, I, with a concern about the farmers, tried to convince them with the fact. But, they did not convinced,” Dr. Susheela told The Hindu over the phone.
