Closure of canals leaves farmers worried

Farmers in Muktsar and Fazilka districts are perplexed as the Water Resources Department has started closing canals on a rotational basis. The paddy sowing season is set to officially begin on June 1.

The department has closed the Maluka, Bhagsar, Ramsara and Daulatpura minors for cleaning from May 19 to 29. It has also decided to close more minors from May 25.

The temperature has already soared past 44°C in the region. In this situation, farmers, especially kinnow growers, have criticised the decision of canal closure, arguing that their orchards need water in this hot weather.

Sukhmandar Singh, farm leader from Fazilka district who frequently raises issues related to irrigation, said, “The closure of canals is being done without informing the farmers. The department claims the canals are being closed for cleaning purposes, but when the Sirhind Feeder Canal was closed for relining in January-February, why didn’t they clean all the minors then? Not just kinnow growers, but even paddy growers will suffer due to this untimely canal closure.”

Swaran Singh Bal, former Sarpanch of Kabarwala village in Muktsar district, said, “If the department releases water by May 29, we will be able to sow paddy crop on time. If the water supply is delayed, it will definitely affect the paddy sowing. In areas where the department plans to close canals from May 25, the paddy sowing will certainly be impacted. It has often been observed in the past that water is not released on time, and it usually takes three-four extra days.”

Vinod Suthar, Executive Engineer, Water Resources Department, said, “We need to clean the canals to ensure water reaches the tail-end. Therefore, the canals are being closed on rotational basis in Fazilka and Muktsar districts. This area has a mixed cropping pattern, with farmers growing paddy, cotton, besides having kinnow orchards. Four minors are closed until May 29, and several others will be closed from May 25.”