Farmers resent diversion of water to Pak

Our Correspondent

Abohar, June 15

Opposing the diversion of river water from Ferozepur headworks to Pakistan, members of the Kisan Sangharsh Samiti on Saturday urged Govind Singh Dotasra, Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education, Rajasthan, to take up the issue with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. The farmers want the Rajasthan CM to discuss the issue with Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh.

Farmers assembled in the district collectorate office as the minister arrived to preside over a monthly meeting. They sought to take up with him issues relating to contaminated water supply through canals that emanate from Punjab and diversion of water from Ferozepur to Pakistan. As the district administration offered to allow entry to only four to five persons, the farmers rejected it. Finally, Dotasra came out to give a hearing. They raised slogans against the Rajasthan and Punjab governments.

Samiti officials asked: “Why can’t the water be diverted to Rajasthan to irrigate crops that were sown due to annual closure for maintenance works of canals in April?”