Farmers protest over waterlogged fields; DC orders prompt draining

Farmers of the villages affected by waterlogging in Rohtak district staged a protest at the Deputy Commissioner's office on Monday in support of the drainage of water and grant of compensation for the crop losses suffered by them.

A delegation of farmers also met the Deputy Commissioner and submitted a memorandum of their demands to him.

Kisan Sabha district secretary Balwan Singh said the farmers of Saiman, Bedwa, Bhaini Surjan, Bhaini Mato, Bhaini Maharajpur, Bhaini Bhairon, Sisar, Balambha, Nindana, Kheri Meham, Bhaini Chanderpal, Farmana Khas, Bainsi and Kharak of Meham subdivision; Patwapur, Baniyani, Madhodhi and Laahli villages of Kalanaur block; and Kultana and Chulana of Sampla tehsil had suffered massive losses due to waterlogging on thousands of acres under cultivation following the recent spell of rain.

"Many farmers had planted paddy and spent up to Rs 15,000 per acre on their crops. Other crops like millet, cotton, sorghum and sugarcane have also been ruined. The condition of dozens of villages indicates that even the sowing of the next wheat crop does not seem possible," he said.

The farmers have demanded to make adequate arrangements for the prompt drainage of water, including motors and pump sets. "Water accumulated in agricultural fields of several villages about a month ago, but the authorities concerned have not even opened the e-kshatipurti (compensation) portal to enable them to register their losses," said Kisan Sabha district president Preet Singh.

The farmers' delegation urged the DC to arrange a meeting of farmers' representatives with the Chief Minister, who is slated to visit Rohtak for the Independence Day ceremony.

The main demands of the farmers include a girdawari to assess the damage, opening of the portal, grant of compensation of Rs 40,000 per acre to affected farmers, declaring Rohtak as flood-affected district and provision of a permanent solution to waterlogging.

The farmers threatened to intensify their stir if their demands were not met.

Meanwhile, DC Dharmender Singh has directed the Superintending Engineer of the Irrigation Department to ensure that water was drained out speedily from the fields to minimise the damage to crops.

He asked the Superintending Engineer to provide the equipment and devices required to drain out water at the affected villages. He also assured the farmers that the portal would be opened at the earliest.