Jahangeer Ganaie
Pulwama, May 29: The unavailability of proper irrigation facilities at Pahoo area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama have delayed the paddy sapling plantation season in the area.
The residents of Rakh-e-Pahoo area said that their land was dependent on Bulbul Nag in Hakripora area for irrigation purposes but that spring was tapped for drinking water supply.
They said that since spring was tapped for the drinking water supply scheme, farmers of around five villages have been suffering for the want of irrigation facilities.
Jamshed Ahmad, a local resident said that usually they used to complete paddy plantation by May 15 in the area but this year due to unavailability of proper irrigation facilities, they are yet to plant paddy saplings.
He said that locals have put in motors on their own and other facilities in service to irrigate their land so as to plant paddy.
Shabir Ahmad, another local, said that farmers of around five villages have been suffering in absence of proper irrigation facilities as authorities have used spring for providing drinking water facilities.
He said that before tapping the spring for the drinking water supply scheme, authorities should have made arrangements for irrigation facilities of the land on which hundreds of families are dependent.
Locals said that they have informed authorities several times to look into the matter and make arrangements of irrigation facilities but nothing has been done so far.
They said that most people in the area are dependent on agricultural land for livelihood and this issue must be taken seriously.
They urged the higher ups especially Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama to look into the matter personally and direct the concerned authorities to take immediate steps in this regard.
