Irrigation system in Mandi Bahauddin is in shamble

Mandi Bahauddin(Sher Gondal) : Irrigation system in Mandi Bahauddin district is in shamble due to negligence of Irrigation officials. The system is not maintained and funds allocated for maintenance are embezzled. Farmers at tail hardly get water of their share. Most of them have installed tube well as alternative source to irrigate crops. Their repeated complaints made to irrigation authority are never responded.

A source reported that huge amounts of funds are allocated for de-silting and maintenance of irrigation channels annually and in early December canals are closed for de-silting and maintenance. The de-silting operation continues till end of February. And thereafter canals are opened.

Now the de-silting season has been over but some Rajabahs are left without de-silting. Farmers of Mangat and Kadhar villages feeling grieved filed petition to District Chairman Human Rights/District and Sessions Judge that Mangat Rajbah was not de-silted and as a result they were not getting due share of water. Farmers at tail reported that no water reached their fields and their crops were turning dry.

They took plea in the petition that it was their right to get full share and this right was being violated by corrupt irrigation officials. Pleaders of petitioners Iniat Kadhar Advocate said Rs 1810000 was allocated for de-silting Mangat Rajbah but not a single penny out of that was spent. No government official was ready to provide relief to farmers, he added and said as a last resort they had filed petition with District Chairman Human Rights for getting relief.