Karur ryots besiege PWD office for water

TAs many as 100 farmers from Kulithalai, Karur, Manachanallur, and Musiri holding withered cash crops laid siege to the entrance of the PWD office here and said that they would not vacate the spot until the PWD official provide a concrete assurance on releasing more quantum of water, at least 600 Cusecs per day, into the 17 channels.

According to the protesting farmers, it is said that as many as 17 channels deviating from Cauvery namely Vadakkarai, Thenkkarai, Kattalaimedu, Uyyakondan, and Ayyanvaaikal have been irrigating around 2.2 lakh acres of land. Though water is being discharged into the 17 channels it is paltry in comparison to the needs. It ranges about 300 cusecs per day for the past six days. Farmers in the six tail-end areas of the channels said that they have not benefitted by the Cauvery water let out for irrigation.

Meanwhile, PWD officials expressing their inability said that they could not discharge more quantum of water in the 17 channels only because of poor water levels in the Mettur dam. Farmers refused to accept the claims, and stayed put at the PWD office. However, the officials agreed to open more water in the 17 channels with effect from Wednesday afternoon.