Two booked for digging near Jayakwadi

Two farmers have been booked by the MIDC police station, Paithan, for allegedly digging a channel to draw water from the Jayakwadi dam in an unauthorized manner. A R Shinde, assistant police inspector, said the two were detained on Tuesday evening and investigation is on.
The two farmers been booked under Section 93 and Section 97 of Maharashtra Irrigation Act, 1976.The area where the digging was taking place is part of the Jaiakwadi bird sanctuary, hence, the police has also invoked provisions of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
V D Yedke, attached with the MIDC police station, Paithan, said that both farmers were involved in carrying out digging activities, using heavy machinery, in area acquired by the irrigation department. "As the area is part of the bird sanctuary, their activities were jeopardising the existence of birds and animals," he said.
As per the Maharashtra Irrigation Act, 1976, if the two are convicted, they can be fined to the extent of Rs 500 or imprisoned up to six months, or both. The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, has stringent punishment for carrying out destruction in a prohibited sanctuary.
Senior irrigation department officials, including A H Chavan, in charge of Jayakwadi dam, could not be reached for comments for the alleged failure in ensuring proper vigil around Jayakwadi dam area.
Meanwhile, farmers' groups have criticised the police action terming the two farmers as the legitimate users of Jayakwadi water.tnn
Jayaji Suryawanshi, a farmers' leader from Marathwada, said that the two farmers have legitimate powers to draw water from Jayakwadi dam. "As the dam level has been receding drastically, farmers are finding themselves in an extremely difficult situation. Though illegal digging cannot be justified, their concerns for water must also be taken into account," he said.
Suryawanshi alleged that 3km long channel dig illegally in Ahmednagar area has been catering to the needs of the farmers since three years. "The police department should also take action against farmers from western Maharashtra," he said.
The Jayakwadi dam, one of the largest storage irrigation projects in the region, hit dead storage a few weeks ago.