‘Fishing lease dam up two lakes meant to irrigate 1,000 acres’

RANIPET: Awarding the fishing rights to the same person in two adjoining lakes has resulted in 1,000 acres of farmlands going without water at Sainapuram in Nemili taluk in Ranipet district.

Sainapuram and Attupakkam Water Users Association president K Thennarasu told DT Next that farmers were in a ferment as a person taking the fishing rights for three years in a row in the Chitheri and Peria Eri irrigation tanks had resulted in farmlands not getting water for their standing crops.

“As the same person raises fish in the lakes, they dam up water for the hatchlings resulting in problems to irrigate crops,” Thennarasu said. “These two tanks supply water to another 10 smaller tanks which totally cater to an ayacut of 1,000 acres in the region,” he added.

When asked if he had informed officials about this, Thennarasu said, “We have complained to both Collector D Baskara Pandian and PWD officials. The Collector ordered the PWD officials to look into the issue and they did so, but once after the officials left, the situation is back to square one.”

Some months ago, a farmer was assaulted for being vociferous in his complaints against the fishing lease and the case went to the police. Finally, a compromise was effected and peace prevailed, but the situation has not changed, Thennarasu added.

“Farmers being affected has raised the issue of the powers of water user association presidents,” said Siruvalayam Water Users Association president R Subash. “When the government created this post we wonder why we were not given enough enforcement powers to ensure that farmers - for whom the association exists – were not affected,” he asked.