Farmers Protest
Vijayanagara
A protest was organized near the Tungabhadra Board office in Hospet on Monday, urging the authorities to install all 33 crest gates of the Tungabhadra Dam within the stipulated time frame to protect farmers’ crops. The demonstration was led by Chamaras Malipatil, honorary President of the State Farmers’ Association, along with Hasiru Sene, former Minister Venkatarao Nadagouda, former MLA Venkatappa Nayaka, writer Allama Prabhu Bettadoor, and farmer leaders Veerasangaiah and Badeladaku Nagendra. They emphasized that the welfare of farmers and workers associated with agriculture-based industries must be prioritized.
The Tungabhadra Board stated that 15 gates are currently ready and installation will begin once water levels recede, with completion expected by June, contingent on government funding. Chamaras Malipatil stressed that this demand is non-partisan and urgent, highlighting that thousands of farmers, rice mill owners, and tractor operators depend on Tungabhadra River water for their livelihoods.
During the protest, participants demanded that no crop should suffer due to incomplete crest gate installation. A petition was submitted to Tungabhadra Board Secretary ORK Reddy, urging immediate water supply and timely gate installation to protect summer crops. Additional demands included proper implementation of water management measures at the Navali reservoir and stopping the illegal irrigation of 1.5 lakh acres within the Left Bank Canal. Farmers called for swift government action to safeguard agriculture and livelihoods.
