Water released to canals won't help ryots as crops have already withered: Kurubur Shanthakumar

MYSURU: Kabini Raitha Hitharakshana Samiti president Kurubur Shanthakumar charged the state government with misleading farmers on the release of Cauvery water to canals for irrigation.
Addressing farmers at Maharaja's Grounds here on Wednesday, Shanthakumar said water, which is being released to canals, will not help farmers as standing crops have already withered due to drought.
He said that the Cauvery issue could have been resolved, had the governments of the riparian states cooperated and arranged a meeting of farmers of both the states."Unoftunately, both the governments did not show any interest to resolve the issue," he added.
Irrigation expert captain Rajarao said Cauvery water dispute can be resolved by constructing a dam at Mekedatu. He said the British are responsible for the water dispute between the two states. "Farmers should switch to drip irrigation to save water," he advised.
Meanwhile, water conservationist Rajendra Singh has decided to take up a yatra from Talacauvery, the birthplace of Cauvery, to Poompuhar, where the river joins the sea.