Tough to give water for irrigation this year: CM

RAJKOT: With Saurashtra staring at severe drinking water crisis months before summer sets in, chief minister Anandiben Patel on Sunday warned farmers that it would be difficult for the state government to release any water for irrigation for the summer crops.
Speaking at a function of Leuva Patels in temple town Dwarka, Patel said that the government is making all efforts to ensure adequate drinking water to the people.The water levels in dams are very less and farmers should not pin hopes on the government to give water for irrigation as the situation is only expected to worsen once summer sets in, she said.
Patel also hit hard at those illegally drawing water from Narmada canals across the state.
"Farmers come to me complaining that we are not getting water as it is being illegally drawn from the canals. Everyone in my ministry too is complaining that there are problems of (water thefts) in Morbi, Halvad, Surendranagar, Botad etc. What will the end user do if water is illegally drawn from the canals?," she said after dedicating a Leuva Patel Bhavan to public.
Directly implicating some members of Patidars community in indulging in water thefts, Patel said, "I did not expect Patel community to be so selfish. Our forefathers have been protectors in villages. They used to donate generously to the poor and not indulge in such activity."
"Work on canals is going on and water is going to reach your fields. But what will happen if water is stolen away in this manner," she said.
Patel said the government can seize the motors that are used to draw water from the canal and deploy state reserve police (SRP). "But if such steps are taken, there are agitations," he remarked.