VIKRAM DITYA SHARMA
Ferozepur: Hundreds of farmers belonging to various districts today hold a protest in front of the office of water resource department in Ferozepur under the banner of “Misal Satluj”, a farmer’s association. These farmers were expressing their resentment against state government’s decision to remove lift pumps along Sirhind feeder.
It is pertinent to mention here that few days ago, the Department of Water Resources in Punjab had released an ordered to remove the lift pumps vide letter number 13564-65 Dated 20.06.2023 following the proposal of the Punjab Water Resources Management and Development Corporation (PWRMD) to remove water lifting pumps along the Sirhind Feeder.
Ajay Pal Singh of “Misal Satluj” said that thousands of farmers from more than 300 villages get benefit from these pumps. “These pumps are fulfilling the irrigation needs of the farmers. The department is falsely claiming to provide the water from alternate sources of Sirhind Canal System which is not feasible”, said Davinder Singh Sekhon another “Misal Satluj” leader
While giving warning to the state government, the protesters said that if the government did not take this decision back within 15 days, they will intensify the protest. The protesters said that if the lift pumps are removed, more than 88,000 acre area in Zira, Ferozepur (Rural), Faridkot, Muktsar and Lambi will be affected as the groundwater in these areas is salty and not good for the irrigation.
Ajay Pal Singh of “Misal Satluj” said that thousands of farmers from more than 300 villages get benefit from these pumps. “These pumps are fulfilling the irrigation needs of the farmers. The department is falsely claiming to provide the water from alternate sources of Sirhind Canal System which is not feasible”, said Davinder Singh Sekhon another “Misal Satluj” leader
Upkaran Pal Singh, Senior Engineer from the Water Resources Department said that the department has not taken any action to close these pumps.
Meanwhile, Ferozepur (Rural) MLA Rajnish Dahiya met water and resource minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hair and raised this issue. Dahiya said that the minister has assured him that the final decision will be taken after discussing the issue with the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and senior officials.