Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 22: Chairman, District Development Council (DDC) Jammu, Bharat Bhushan Bodhi, has appealed Lt Governor Manoj Sinha for immediate construction of damaged Ranbir Canal Siphon to save the precious paddy crop in majorly three tehsils of R S Pura, Bishnah, Arnia and its adjoining areas, failing which the farmers of the area shall face economic devastation.
In a statement issued here today, the DDC Chairman said that the incessant rains having stopped stop now and the weather having become clear, the paddy and other crops of farmers of RS Pura and nearby areas are in danger due to non availability of Ranbir Canal water. He said that the farmers are facing shortage of water for irrigation after the Ranbir Canal Siphon at Village Dharap was washed away in the recent incessant rains.
The DDC Chairman expressed strong resentment over the stance of Administration especially the concerned Department for adopting a callous approach which is evident from the fact that no effort has been made till date in the direction of repairing and reconstruction of the washed away Ranbir Canal Siphon. The DDC Chairman made a fervent appeal to the LG to pass on instructions to the Irrigation Department for construction of the Ranbir Canal Siphon on top priority basis so that the farmers get timely water supply for irrigating the fields and save the precious crops.
It is pertinent to mention here that the DDC Chairman along with the Chief Engineer and Superintending Engineer Irrigation Department had soon after the washing away of the Ranbir Canal Siphon assessed the loss and discussed the possibility of the early restoration of the damaged canal siphon.
Bharat Bhushan said that he had already directed the officials of Irrigation Department to take the matter on war footing as Ranbir Canal is the lifeline of the farmers of R S Pura, Bishnah and Arnia tehsils and recession in water level in the canal means devastation as far as paddy crop is concerned but nothing has happened on ground till date.
Follow our WhatsApp channel