Mysuru: Hundreds of farmers under the banner of the Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers Association took out a protest march in Mysuru on Monday, accusing the state govt of failing to release water from the Kabini reservoir to save standing crops in its command area. The farmers also staged a demonstration outside the office of the Command Area Development Authority (CADA) near Mysuru Palace.Protesters alleged that although the Kabini reservoir had reached full capacity nearly two months ago, the govt released water to Tamil Nadu but failed to provide irrigation water to farmers in the command area. They said the govt had announced that water would be released for irrigation but had not fulfilled its promise.Farmers stated that paddy cultivation had already begun in the region and that the crops were now withering due to the failure to release water into irrigation canals.Addressing the gathering, Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers Association president Kurubur Shanthakumar criticised the govt for not supplying water to the canals. He said that while officials claim that 900 cusecs of water are being released daily from the Kabini dam into the downstream Kapila River to meet Bengaluru’s drinking water needs, farmers in the command area continue to suffer.Shanthakumar said the govt must come to the aid of farmers, who play a crucial role in ensuring food security. He alleged that although farmers had also been affected by drought, the Congress govt had restricted its relief measures to mere assurances and statements without providing meaningful assistance.He further claimed that erratic power supply had compounded the problems faced by farmers dependent on irrigation pump sets. “The govt has enough electricity to illuminate Mysuru with dazzling lights during the Dasara festivities, but is unwilling to ensure adequate power supply to rural areas and farmers,” he said.Shanthakumar warned that if the govt failed to address the grievances of farmers, people would hold it accountable for its alleged double standards.
