Drunk baildar’s mistake leads to flooding of fields

Parvesh Sharma

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Tribune News Service

Jind, April 1

An employee of the Irrigation Department in an inebriated condition closed a gate of the Rejhla headworks near Sillikheri village in Safidon segment last night, causing a 10-feet-long breach in the water channel and submerging around 100 acres of crop in the village.

Affected farmers have demanded compensation, while the Safidon police have started investigation. After closing gate number 3, Baildar Jai Bhagwan went to drink water. In the meantime, water pressure caused a breach in the channel and flooded around 100 acres of crop of Sillakheri village.

“Farmers learnt about the breach in the morning. We tried to plug the breach, but could not. Then we found the gate was closed and opened it,” said Satish, a farmer from Sillakheri, said.

When they searched for the missing baildar, they found bottles of liquor from his room. Infuriated, the farmers reached the Safidon police station and lodged a complaint against him. “Water will take a few days to drain out and, by that time, crops will be damaged. Farmers request the state government to assess the damage,” said Anil, another farmer. “The police have got Bhagwan medically examined. A report is awaited,” Safidon SHO Dharmvir Singh said.

Executive Engineer KS Mahla said he had directed a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDO) to inquire into the matter. “Strict action will be taken if the baildar is found at fault,” he added.