JAMMU, Jun 30: Senior Congress leader and former DDC Suchetgarh, Taranjit Singh Tony, has taken strong exception to the prolonged neglect of the Khandwal irrigation canal, which has left farmers struggling due to disruption of water supply ahead of the crucial paddy cultivation season. Following repeated representations from villagers and farmers, Tony intervened and ensured immediate action for restoration of the canal.
During a review of the situation, it came to light that heavy silt accumulation, lack of timely desilting, and encroachment on portions of canal land by a few individuals had severely obstructed the flow of irrigation water. Tony asserted that canal land is public property meant exclusively for irrigation purposes and cannot be allowed to be grabbed or misused under any circumstances. He demanded that all encroachments affecting the canal alignment be identified and removed so that the original canal route is fully restored.
Acting on his intervention, Executive Engineer Desraj and officials of the Irrigation Department conducted an on-site inspection of the canal and issued directions for immediate desilting and restoration work. The department has assured that water supply through the canal will be restored from tomorrow, bringing much-needed relief to farmers preparing for paddy transplantation.
Expressing concern over the situation, Tony said that the present crisis was avoidable had desilting been carried out well before the commencement of the paddy season. He questioned the apparent mismanagement of funds allocated for maintenance of irrigation infrastructure and called for accountability to ensure that resources meant for farmers are utilized effectively and transparently.
“The farming community should not suffer because of administrative negligence, delayed maintenance, or unauthorized occupation of canal land. Irrigation is the lifeline of agriculture, and every effort must be made to ensure uninterrupted water supply to our farmers,” Tony said.
He further urged the administration to establish a regular monitoring, desilting, and maintenance mechanism for canals across the region so that such situations do not recur in future. Tony assured the residents of Khandwal that he would continue to monitor the restoration process and pursue all necessary measures to safeguard farmers’ interests and strengthen rural livelihoods.
Local farmers welcomed the intervention and expressed hope that the timely restoration of water supply would enable them to undertake agricultural activities smoothly during the ongoing sowing season.