Farmers, residents fight over water from Rajsamand lake

Rajsamand, Nov 4 (UNI) Farmers demanding irrigation water from the Rajsamand lake in the district are engaged in a tug-of war with the residents of the area, who say the water is for only drinking purposes.

At least 8,000 farmers from surrounding villages around the Rajsamand lake are forced to open the canal gates today despite the status quo orders by the Rajasthan High Court for the past five years. The district administration, however, closed the gates immediately afterwards.

The farmers then assembled before the Collectorate, saying they are not aware of the High Court orders.

District Collector Anand Kumar said the situation is under control and the canal gates have been closed on the orders of the High Court.

According to sources, the farmers are demanding that water from the Rajsamand lake be given to them for irrigation as its water level has become 19 feet after about five years, owing to good monsoon in the area this season.

But the residents of the area are not willing to part with the water for irrigation purposes as they have been facing acute drinking water shortage for the past two-three years. They do not want the lake's water level to go down below 10 feet at any cost.

The water distribution committee of district administration had decided to release canal water from roday on the demands of farmers.

But after hearing a PIL filed in this connection, the High Court gave the orders to maintain status quo.

Several organisations had observed a successful shutdown yesterday in the area over the issue.

UNI XC RRT LS VC1313