Is Kuruvai Paddy in the Tail-End Cauvery Delta Facing Withering Due to State Neglect?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kuruvai Paddy Crop in danger due to irrigation issues.
- Mettur Reservoir water not reaching tail-end regions.
- DMK government's negligence cited as a major cause.
- Urgent government intervention is needed.
- Independent audit of irrigation funds is essential.
Chennai, Aug 5 (NationPress) BJP Tamil Nadu President Nainar Nagenthran asserted on Tuesday that the Kuruvai paddy crop in the tail-end regions of the Cauvery delta is on the brink of withering due to the state government's failure to provide adequate irrigation facilities.
In a fervent statement, Nagenthran emphasized that even though water was officially released from the Mettur reservoir on June 12 for the irrigation of the Cauvery delta districts, it has yet to arrive in the tail-end areas of Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, and Tiruvarur.
“While the main channels of the river are filled with water, the distributaries and minor irrigation channels are parched. This clearly demonstrates that water is not being effectively distributed to the lower regions, causing distress for thousands of farmers,” he stated.
He attributed the situation to the DMK government's persistent negligence, asserting that despite allocating crores of rupees annually, officials have failed to desilt river channels and ponds, making them incapable of storing and distributing water.
“Every year, funds are approved under the guise of improving irrigation infrastructure, but no substantial desilting work occurs. The silt accumulation in water bodies has severely diminished their holding capacity,” Nagenthran mentioned, stressing that this directly affects farmers reliant on timely water supply for the Kuruvai season.
He further condemned the establishment of a separate Water Resources Department by the state government, claiming it has not implemented any effective schemes to enhance irrigation.
“It is regrettable that despite creating a dedicated department, there has been no tangible improvement. The government has made promises to farmers but has failed to ensure that water supply reaches the last-mile regions,” he stated.
Calling for immediate action, he urged the Tamil Nadu government to manage water resources efficiently and guarantee fair water distribution across all delta regions. He also demanded an independent audit to evaluate the utilization of funds allocated for irrigation development and urged the state to prioritize desilting and maintenance in vulnerable areas before further harm is inflicted on standing crops.
aal/rad