Jammu, July 1: A delegation of farmers led by former DDC Suchetgarh and senior Congress leader Taranjit Singh Tony today called on the Deputy Commissioner Jammu Dr Rakesh Minhas and raised the issue of disruption of irrigation water supply through Canal No. D-9A in the Khandwal area, which has been affecting agricultural activities ahead of the paddy cultivation season.
The delegation apprised the DC about the hardships being faced by farmers due to inadequate water flow, heavy silt accumulation and alleged encroachments on canal land. Seeking immediate intervention, the farmers urged the administration to restore the canal and ensure uninterrupted irrigation facilities.
Taking serious note of the matter, the Deputy Commissioner Jammu assured the delegation that restoration of water supply through Canal D-9A would be taken up on priority. He also issued directions to the concerned authorities for immediate action and emphasized that any encroachment on canal land would not be tolerated.
Following the meeting, the delegation also met SDM South Manu Hansa. During the meeting with SDM South Manu Hansa, the Tehsildar concerned was also present. Taking the matter seriously, the SDM informed the delegation that he, along with the Tehsildar and officials of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, will visit the affected site at 11 a.m. tomorrow to assess the ground situation and oversee measures for restoration of canal water supply. He assured the farmers that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure the smooth flow of irrigation water and that any encroachment on canal land would be dealt with strictly as per law.
The SDM reportedly warned that cases of illegal occupation or grabbing of canal land would be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law and directed officials to ensure that irrigation infrastructure remains free from encroachments.
Speaking on the occasion, Tony said that irrigation is crucial for farmers during the ongoing sowing season and expressed hope that the administration’s intervention would provide timely relief to the farming community. He also thanked the DC Jammu and SDM South for their swift response to the issue.
The farmers’ delegation included Baldev Singh Rakwal, Pandit, Rahul Choudhary, Raj Kumar Lambada, Deepak Sharma, Chamail Singh and Parshotam Sharma, among others, who reiterated the need for long-term monitoring and maintenance of the canal network to prevent similar problems in the future.