B.V. Gowda, State President of the Karnataka State Farmers’ Association and Green Army, has demanded that water be released continuously into the Lower Level Canal (LLC) of the Tungabhadra Right Bank until December 15 to ensure a full harvest. Speaking at a water meeting for farmers in the Tungabhadra reservoir area held on Thursday at Sangatraya Sanskrit Pathashala in Kampli, Gowda warned that if a decision is not made by November 12 as per the farmers’ current demand, a foot march from the town to Munirabad will commence on November 14, followed by a sit-in protest at the Irrigation Department office on November 16.
Gowda stated that farmers had planted their crops based on the assurances given at the Irrigation Advisory Committee meeting on August 11. He noted that crops typically require water for approximately 120 days, and any suspension of supply now could result in crop losses worth thousands of crores of rupees, potentially trapping farmers in debt. He urged the government to negotiate with the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments to secure additional water, given their larger share of the reservoir’s water. Alternatively, he requested that water allocated to factories be reduced or additional water be drawn from the Bhadra reservoir to protect the crops in the region.
Also present at the meeting were District President Sharanabasappa, office bearers J. Baramareddi, V. Veeresh, K. Ramesh, T. Ganganna, Manjunatha, Raghavendra Reddy, and Timmappanayaka, along with prominent leaders G. Linganna Gowda, B. Sadashivappa, Sugappa, Chanal Virupaksha Reddy, Veerabhadra Reddy, Gutigenoor Prakash Gowda, Shivajata Gowda, Srinivasa Reddy, and Krishnaraja. Farmers from Kampli, Kurugodu, Siruguppa, and Ballari taluks also attended the gathering.
