Farmers demand water supply for crops till Dec. 30

Farmers affiliated to AIKKMS taking out a procession in Ballari on Thursday, demanding the release of water to canals till December 30 to save standing crops. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Farmers under the banner of the All India Kisan Khet Mazdoor Sangathan (AIKKMS) staged a protest in Ballari on Thursday demanding that water be released to the HLC and LLC canals until December 30 to ensure that standing crops are saved.Hundreds of farmers took out a procession from Gandhi Bhavan to the Deputy Commissioner’s office where they staged a demonstration against the proposed discontinuation of canal water supply on November 20.Addressing the protesters, AIKKMS district president Govinda said that farmers have invested heavily in cultivation by borrowing money amid rising input costs. With crops nearing maturity, stopping water supply on November 20 will deprive them of the opportunity to harvest their produce, he said.He pointed out that more than 96 tmcft of water has been stored in the Tungabhadra reservoir this year and questioned the State government’s decision not to ensure water supply even for one crop.He said that farmers are entitled to question how the available water is being utilised and urged them to strongly oppose the proposed closure of the canals.AIKKMS district secretary Guralli Raj said that water is being illegally supplied through motors to several industries, while the State government is unwilling to ensure adequate water for crops.He accused the State government of favouring corporate interests at the expense of the farming community.He said that farmers have no option but to intensify their agitation until water is supplied long enough for them to harvest at least one crop.Warning of a more intense protest after November 20, he said that the State government will be held responsible for the consequences of stopping water supply for crops.AIKKMS State committee member Hanumanthappa, district vice-president Basanna, Ballari taluk secretary Dhanaraj, Kurugodu taluk president Koluru Pampapathi and vice-president Kallukamba Pampapathi also addressed the protesters.Efforts onKoppal district in-charge Minister Sivaraj Tangadagi, meanwhile, said that water will be released to the Tungabhadra canals until November 20 from Karnataka’s allocated share of seven tmcft of water.Speaking to reporters at the Koppal District Administrative Complex on Thursday, he said that the State government is making efforts to extend the water supply until November 30, keeping the interests of farmers in mind.“I have discussed the matter with the Chief Minister and also with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu,” he said. Published - November 13, 2026 09:22 pm IST