Defunct irrigation scheme leaves Paddy fields dry in Pulwama village
Situation beyond our control: Executive Engineer
Awantipora: The defunct lift irrigation scheme in Pulwama district of south Kashmir has rendered the paddy fields dry, leaving the farmers in a state of despair.
The move has left the farmers of Beighpora and its adjacent areas in Awantipora area of Pulwama apprehensive of zero production of paddy owing to the non availability of irrigation water supply for the fields.
“Whole Paddy land is dependent on this lift irrigation scheme which has been defunct for the last several days. The scheme was functional in the first week of June and we irrigated our land and planted paddy saplings as well,” said Reyaz Ahmad, a local resident.
They however said the scheme was rendered defunct soon after they finished the plantation of sapling. “There is no other irrigation facility available in the area which is worrisome for us,” the locals said.
The locals said the planting of paddy saplings commenced in May last week and culminated in the first week of June.
The residents who are also engaged in farming complained that the authorities should have taken immediate steps to make the lift irrigation scheme functional saying the department was aware about the situation.
“Most of the farmers are directly dependent on agriculture for their livelihood and if the same situation continues, farmers may die of starvation,” the locals said.
They urged the authorities to look into the matter at an earliest and take immediate steps to make the scheme functional. “Early action to make the scheme functional will bring a sigh of relief for us,” they said.
Meanwhile, the Executive Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Er Fareed Ahmad Reshie pleaded helplessness saying that the situation was beyond their control as water level in Jehlum is low.
“We can intervene only if the water level in Jhelum increases,” he said.
Jahangeer Ganaie
