Krishna delta farmers stage protest over delay in release of irrigation water
Farmers in the Krishna delta are protesting against the government's delay in releasing irrigation water for paddy cultivation. They argue that the delay is detrimental to their livelihoods and contradicts earlier assurances given by officials.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing tension between agricultural water management and government policy, impacting the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and laborers.
Farmers of the Krishna delta, under the banner of the Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham, staged a protest near the Sunkarivari Thota bridge on the outskirts of Eluru on Sunday, demanding the immediate release of irrigation water for their agricultural lands.
Addressing the gathering, Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham State assistant secretary K. Srinivas warned that farmers would intensify their agitation if the government failed to release water without further delay.
Mr. Srinivas alleged that the government had initially assured farmers that irrigation water would be released from June 15 and encouraged them to prepare nurseries for paddy cultivation. However, he said the government was now advising farmers against cultivating paddy, which he described as unfair and detrimental to their livelihoods.
He questioned why water was not being supplied to the Krishna delta despite abundant inflows into the Krishna and Godavari rivers and the discharge of floodwaters into the sea.
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