JAMMU, AUG 22: Bharat Bhushan Bodhi, Chairman District Development Council (DDC) Jammu has appealed to the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to direct immediate construction of damaged Ranbir Canal Siphon to save the precious paddy crop in majorly three Tehsils of R S Pura, Bishnah, Arnia and its adjoining areas, failing which the farmers of the area shall face economic devastation.
In a statement issued to media here today, the DDC Chairman said that the incessant rains having stopped stop now and the weather having become clear, the paddy and other crops of farmers of RS Pura and nearby areas are in danger due to non availability of Ranbir Canal Water. He said that the farmers are facing shortage of water for irrigation after the Ranbir Canal Siphon at Village Dharap was washed away in the recent incessant rains.
The DDC Chairman expressed strong resentment over the stance of Administration especially the concerned Deptt for adopting a callous approach which is evident from the fact that no effort has been made till date in the direction of repairing and reconstruction of the washed away Ranbir Canal Siphon. Asserting that the farmers of the area are now in dire need of Ranbir Canal water for irrigating their fields to save their crop, the DDC Chairman has made a fervent appeal to the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to pass on instructions to the Irrigation Department for construction of the Ranbir Canal Siphon on top priority basis so that the farmers get timely water supply for irrigating the fields and save the precious crops.
It is pertinent to mention here that the DDC Chairman along with the Chief Engineer and Superintending Engineer Irrigation Department had soon after the washing away of the Ranbir Canal Siphon assessed the loss and discussed the possibility of the early restoration of the damaged canal siphon, which has forced the authorities to stop the water in the canal during amid peak paddy crop season.
Bharat Bhushan said that he had already directed the officials of Irrigation Department to take the matter on war footing as Ranbir Canal is the lifeline of the farmers of Tehsil R S Pura, Tehsil Bishnah, Tehsil Arnia and Satwari belts of the farming community and recession in water level in the canal means devastation as far as paddy crop is concerned but nothing has happened on ground till date. He reiterated that the department has no option but to start the reconstruction of the damaged portion of the siphon without any further wastage of time.
The DDC Chairman urged the government functionaries responsible for granting funds, etc. to complete all the procedures within days to ensure fast pacing of the project.