Considering the farmers’ demand, Minister Women and Child Development Laxmi Hebbalkar has ordered for release of water from Malaprabha reservoir to the canals till March 1. The Minister is also the chairperson of the Malaprabha Irrigation Consultative Committee.
At a meeting held on February 15, the consultative committee comprising legislators, farmers and others, and headed by Laxmi Hebbalkar, resolved to put off the decision to stop water release from the reservoir from February 15, and extend water release till March 1.
As the reservoir is full, it was resolved to earmark 14.87 tmc ft of water for kharif season of 2024-25 and 16 tmc ft of water for the rabi season. In all 30.842 tmc ft of water in Malaprabha reservoir has been earmarked for irrigation. Till February 14, 16 tmc ft of water was released from the reservoir for irrigation.
However, farmers and legislators of Naragund and Badami had requested the committee to continue release of water till March 15. In order to safeguard the interests of the farmers, it was decided to extend the water release till March 1 for irrigation, the Minister stated.
This apart, the Minister has ordered for preserving 15 tmc ft of water for drinking water till June-end. The Minister has told the officials including deputy commissioners, ZP CEOs and officials of minor irrigation department, to take steps to fill up water tanks in their jurisdiction to meet drinking water needs.
Appeal to use water economically
Meanwhile, Superintending Engineer at Naviluteerth and member-secretary of the consultative committee V.S. Madhukar has appealed to people to use water economically as demand for drinking water would escalate in accordance with intensity of summer.
