Silvester D’ Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Sep 4: “Though Varahi irrigation project was started 41 years ago, its work picked up speed only after the year 2000. Though the project began for supplying water it was used to generate electricity also. Water has started flowing through the right bank. Saukoor irrigation project works have begun now. Every beneficiary farmer that was initially intended should obtain water. Water from Varahi is the only source for the farmers in the future,” said Udupi Jilla Raitha Sangha president K Pratapchandra Shetty.

He was speaking in a meeting of farmers of Varahi right bank irrigation project held at Amparu Sri Ram Bhavan on September 3.

“Farmers will have to pay electricity charges for their pump sets in the future. They will not earn profit from cultivation then. Therefore, Varahi water will rescue the farmers. Shankernarayan – Halnad that is 9.5 kilometre long is the main canal. Sub canals are being constructed from Amparu circle. A proposal has been submitted to the government in this connection,” he said.

Raitha Sangha secretary Santhosh Kumar Shetty Baladi said that this is the fifth farmer’s meeting regarding Varahi irrigation project and is the ideal forum to clear the doubts and anxiety of farmers.

Dinaker Shetty Mumbaru said that the project should be implemented soon. Kiran Hegde Amparu said that the project should prevent injustice to farmers. “The government officials should take the initiative in this direction,” he said.

Varahi irrigation corporation executive engineer Praveen, assistant engineer Prasanna and Kiran provided details of the project. Udupi district Raitha Sangha chief secretary Sathish Kini Beleve, Raitha Sangha spokesperson Vikas Hegde, Pradeep Kumar Shetty Gudibettu, Sadashiva Shetty Shankernarayana, Sharathchandra Shetty, Krishnadeva Karanth Koni, Ashok Kumar Shetty Choradi, Ramesh Ganiga Kollur, Rohith Shetty, Vijaya Putran, Ganapayya Shetty and others were present.