FIRs recommended against 17 farmers for illegal water extraction

In a major crackdown on illegal water extraction, the Irrigation Department in Sirsa has recommended filing of FIRs against 17 farmers, who are accused of diverting water from the Ghaggar Bani-Sadeva-Mammar Link Channel into their private borewells. The illegal diversion has caused significant water shortages, particularly affecting the farmers at the tail end of the canal system. On Saturday, the department continued its action by removing illegal pipes from the flood canal in Chamal village, with several farmers facing penalties.

The issue was raised after complaints were lodged by the farmers from the Kharia Chakka, Bhuna, and Ghoranwali areas to Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sharma. According to the complaints, some farmers had set up illegal pipe connections to extract water from the canal’s minors into their tubewells, blocking the natural flow of water downstream. The disruption has severely impacted irrigation supply, threatening hundreds of acres of farmland.

Notably, with the Bhakra Canal already experiencing a water shortage, many farmers rely on water from the Ghaggar link for sowing cotton and narma crops. In response to these concerns, the farmers from Banwala called for immediate intervention. Shantanu Sharma promptly directed the Irrigation Department to conduct a surprise inspection of the canal and its minors. The inspection confirmed multiple illegal connections, leading to large-scale removal efforts.

Executive Engineer Sandeep Sharma confirmed that the action was being taken under direct orders from the district administration. "Our focus is to restore the proper water flow so that all farmers, including those at the tail end of the canal system, receive their due share of water, ensuring a smooth sowing season," he stated.

MP Selja slams govt 'inaction'

MP Kumari Selja has slammed the BJP-led Haryana Government for "failing" to manage the worsening water crisis in the state. In a media statement on Saturday, she said due to the government's negligence in cleaning canals, Haryana was not receiving its full water share from the Bhakra Nangal Dam.

Selja also accused the Punjab Government of politicising water distribution and ignoring Supreme Court orders on the SYL canal. She warned that 10 districts, including Sirsa, Rohtak and Bhiwani were facing severe drinking water shortages, with 51 water supply stations dry. Many villages receive water only every alternate day, while cities rely on paid tankers.

Selja said she had written to the Chief Minister in March but no action was taken. The farmers were also suffering due to the lack of irrigation water, threatening the sowing of rice and cotton crops.