Farmers' satyagraha for water

VIJAYAWADA: The opposition partieshave decided to go-ahead with the proposed satyagraha seeking release ofirrigation water to the Krishna Delta and a clear stand of the government on theissue.The Congress, CPI, Samata Party, Samajwadi Party and somefarmers’ outfits affiliated to these parties will be part of the agitationprogramme. The CPM and its affiliates are, however, staying away from theprogramme. Some Telugu Desam Party leaders from Guntur and Krishna districts tooare expected to take part in the agitation though on their personal behalf.The joint action committee leaders Mandali Buddha Prasad,Pinnamaneni Koteswara Rao, Gade Venkata Reddy and others announced here onSunday that the proposed satyagraha would be held as scheduled despite theirrigation authorities releasing 15,000 cusecs of water from the PrakasamBarrage on Sunday. “We want the state government to release at least 50tmc ft of water from the Nagarjuna Sagar dead storage level to save the crops in13.5 lakh acres in the Krishna delta. We are deeply worried about the stategovernment’s stand on the issue as it has so far not come out with a clearpicture on the release of water. Merely stating that the first priority will befor Krishna Delta will not suffice,� they pointed out.Theyalso said there was a misconception among the Telangana leaders on the waterissue which needs to be dispelled. Meanwhile, the superintendingengineer of Irrigation Vijayawada circle told The Times of India that 8200cusecs of water was released into the Krishna Eastern main canal (for Krishnadistrict) and another 6500 cusecs into the Krishna Western main canal (forGuntur district). Another 400 cusecs was released into the Guntur Channel and200 cusecs for various pumping schemes. “All this is excess flood waterreceived at the Prakasam Barrage. There are no inflows as such from theNagarjuna Sagar. This water can be used for irrigation or any other purpose asthe people in the catchment may desire,� he clarified.