Farmers appeal for release of water from Vaigai dam

MADURAI: A group of farmer leaders representing Periyar – Vaigai Water Users Association submitted a petition to the district collector, L Subramanian appealing to the state government to release water for irrigation during public grievance redressal day meeting held on Monday. Around 20 farmer leaders came down to the collectorate with the petition.
Addressing reporters, Puthisigamani, one of leaders said that water could be released from Vaigai dam once combined water credit of Periyar and Vaigai dams exceed 4,000 mcft.
As on Monday, the water credit has exceeded 4,000 mcft mark, and standing at 4,300 mcft, hence they have decided to appeal state government through district administration for water release, he said. The water released from dam will irrigate 45,000 acres land between Peranai and Kallanthiri area of Madurai district benefitting 20,000 farmers, he pointed out.
After there was no water in dam by June 1 – scheduled date for water release for double crop areas – the farmers have decided to forego double crop cultivation. However, their hopes were rekindled when Periyar dam started receiving steady flow after mid-July. Hence, double and single crop farmers came together recently deciding to seek water in a phased manner.
According to their logic, water could be released to double crop areas by August 15 and single crop farmers will get their due after September 15, thereby raising single crop with maximum success. The leaders from farming community have approached district administration and public works department recently with the proposal. But the district administration has decided to give a thorough study before suggesting state government on water release.
A N M Thiruppathi, one of the leaders said they wanted to appeal again through grievance redressal petition since they have not heard from district administration over their previous appeal. “We may have to resort to demonstrating if there is no reply still,” he quipped.