Stories
Farmers Warn: 'Meet Demands or Face 2004 Gharsana-Style Agitation'.
- •Farmers are protesting severe irrigation water shortage in the Indira Gandhi Canal Project and damage to Kharif crops.
- •They warn of repeating the 2004 Gharsana agitation if demands are not met, stating they won't be placated by assurances.
- •Farmers presented a four-point demand letter, including a written order for canal operation, removal of Chief Engineer Pradeep Rastogi, compensation for crop damage, and a permanent solution for the Anupgarh branch system.
- •District Collector Amit Yadav stated that work related to crop damage is almost complete, with reports being sent to the state level for farmer relief.
- •Farmers have announced a road blockade on September 24 and threatened to intensify the agitation if their demands are not met.
Key Questions Answered
The farmers' four-point demand letter includes written orders to run canals in two out of four groups, the immediate removal or transfer of Irrigation Department Chief Engineer Pradeep Rastogi due to Kharif crop destruction, immediate crop damage compensation and insurance claims, and a permanent solution for the Anupgarh branch system.
Farmer leader Shyopat Meghwal warned that if their demands are not met, farmers will repeat the historic Gharsana-Rawla farmer agitation of 2004 and the long road blockade struggle of 2021.
District Collector Amit Yadav and SP Hari Shankar visited the site for discussions, and the Collector stated that crop damage assessment reports are being sent to the state level for relief, while policy decisions regarding the Chief Engineer and water regulation are being forwarded to the state government.
