Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 17: Taranjit Singh Tony, Chairman Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Jammu and Kashmir for Administrative Engagement and Minority Affairs, and District Development Council (DDC) Member Suchetgarh today demanded to extend/reconstruct entire Ranbir Canal stretch starting from Akhnoor to its tail- end in RS Pura area.
In a statement AAP leader urged the head of the Union Territory of J&K to consider this demand as soon as possible because the issue is of prime importance as the age-old water body has lived its age and is now proving inadequate to supply water upto its tail ends due to limitations of construction which is several decades’ old. Moreover, huge funds are spent every year for its de-silting and its wear and tear. Except annual de-silting exercise, nothing substantial has been done on it since decades.
Tony said that the farmers living at the extreme ends of the canal are suffering for the last many years, especially those living in Suchetgarh, Bishnah and RS Pura localities as they have to resort to other means for irrigation because water seldom reaches these places but the concerned Chief Engineer and other officials preferred to remain dormant and phlegmatic over the issue.
He also reiterated the demand for permanent solution at the Dharap village site where the canal was breached due to flooding and the concerned department has restored the water body through a temporary ‘Jugad’. He said that next sowing season is ensuing and it is necessary that the said spot be reconstructed and restored permanently because already the tillers have faced lots of losses during paddy season and they are not in a position to further afford losses due to break in water supply.
Senior AAP leader appealed to the LG Sinha’s administration to look into the aforesaid matters to ensure adequate water during the sowing season and afterwards. He said that gap for work to complete canal works at Dharap is only upto January 31, 2023 and therefore, government should speed up the tender work to ensure timely construction.
Criticizing the Government over its lethargy in providing good quality seeds and adequate supply of fertilizers to the farmers, Tony said that it is time that the leadership of biggest party of the country to come out of the deep slumber or else people will show the doors in the ensuing political contests.
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