It has been 10 days since the state government started releasing water for irrigation through Narmada canals, but half of Gujarat remains dry owing to the water theft menace.
It was a disappointing and embarrassing moment for chief minister Vijay Rupani at a cabinet meeting held on Wednesday when his government showed inefficiency in acting against water theft from Narmada canals across the state. It has been 10 days since the state government started releasing water for irrigation through Narmada canals, but half of Gujarat remains dry owing to the water theft menace.
A senior official in the Gujarat government said, "When the CM sought suggestions from ministers and officials on curbing the water theft incidents, they all said that it wasn't possible. The CM was disappointed as he was briefed that there's a nexus between the local politicians and musclemen who steal from the canals by obstructing water and installing pumps. No one dares file complaints against them. If someone does dare, either the complaint is not filed by the police or the complainant has to face dire consequences."
The official also said that water from the Narmada could hardly reach up to Morbi in Machchu dam but the water flow had been obstructed before that by farmers in Surendranagar district. Entire districts of Rajkot, Jamnagar, Kutch, Porbandar and others remained dry as a result. It's the same situation at Botad as locals have obstructed the canals, so that farmers in Bhavnagar and Amreli districts did not receive water.
The musclemen who steal water from the canals sell it to farmers for irrigation and that is illegal, the official further added.
Revenue minister Kaushik Patel said, "The issue was discussed in the cabinet meeting and the CM has directed the home, Narmada and irrigation departments to take action. Police complaints will also be lodged against those who steal water from canals."
Following the cabinet meeting, revenue minister Patel also called for a review meeting of the cabinet sub-committee formed for action related to scarcity-hit areas. The minister directed all officials and fellow ministers to ensure water availability for drinking and irrigation, and fodder for cattle in such affected areas. The CM had declared the entire Kutch district and six tehsils of other districts as scarcity hit areas following progressive rainfall of less than 125mm in the season so far.
WATER THEFT
- It has been 10 days since the state government started releasing water for irrigation through Narmada canals, but half of Gujarat remains dry owing to water theft menace.
- The CM had declared the entire Kutch district and six tehsils of other districts as scarcity hit areas following progressive rainfall of less than 125mm in the season so far.
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