Sheeri: Farmers from Kitchama Sheeri and surrounding areas staged a strong protest on the Srinagar-Uri highway against the Irrigation Department and Power Development Department (PDD), alleging that the lack of irrigation water supply due to inconsistent power supply to lift irrigation pump stations is parching their crops.
The demonstrators raised slogans demanding a 24×7 power supply to the irrigation pumps during this critical period. They claimed that without proper irrigation, their paddy crops are dying due to water scarcity.
“Both the Irrigation and PDD departments have been neglecting our needs for years. They either cite technical issues with the irrigation pumps or provide erratic power supply to the pump stations. Water from the river is supposed to cover around a thousand kanals of land, but power cuts prevent the water from reaching our fields,” said Nazir Ahmad, an elderly farmer from Kitchama.
The protesting farmers raised high-pitched slogans against the Irrigation Department and PDD. They further added, “The lift irrigation pump was installed here in 1985 when Ghulam Mohammed Shah was Chief Minister. Since then, the pump has frequently developed technical snags, worsening the farmers’ situation.”
Holding dried crop samples, the farmers issued a two-day ultimatum to restore the irrigation water supply. They threatened to destroy the pump station and stage a protest on the highway if their demands were not met.
The farmers accused authorities of ignoring their complaints, leaving them at the mercy of nature. “We were expecting bumper crops this season, but the lack of irrigation water has dashed our hopes. It is unfortunate that the authorities turn a deaf ear to our pleas,” lamented Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, another protester.
“There is no proper irrigation system in place. The government promised us irrigation pumps and a canal network, but nothing has been done. Many have had to find alternative jobs to earn a living,” said protester Abdul Aziz Malik.
Ishfaq Hussain highlighted that around 5,000 kanals of paddy fields depend on this irrigation pump, but the crops are dying due to only two hours of power supply. “This pump is supposed to receive essential service status, and with no rain, the situation is dire,” he said.
The protesting farmers criticized the PDD and Irrigation departments for ignoring their struggles and failing to ensure seamless irrigation of their agricultural lands. “We faced the same irrigation issues last year and the year before during the paddy season. Despite multiple requests to the Executive Engineers for proper irrigation supply, no action has been taken,” they alleged.
They appealed to the Deputy Commissioner of Baramulla to address the issue, ensuring such irrigation problems do not recur in the future.
