Water to be released from Pentakli dam for kharif crops, orders Guardian Minister Makrand Patil

With rain failing in Buldhana district, farmers were left asking how to save their standing crops. Kharif crops were on the verge of drying up for want of water. A decision bringing relief to farmers has now been taken.

Makrand Patil, Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation and Guardian Minister of the district, has directed that the available water remaining in Pentakli dam be released immediately for irrigation.

Erratic rainfall has hit kharif season crops. The crops that farmers had raised with great effort were at risk without water. For this reason, farmers and local public representatives had been demanding continuously that water be released from Pentakli dam for irrigation. The demand has finally received a positive response, and it has been decided to use the water available in the dam for the crops.

The Guardian Minister held detailed discussions on the matter with District Collector Dr Pravinkumar Deore and officials of the Irrigation (Water Resources) Department. As per the decision taken at a meeting of the water users' committee, action to release water from the dam for irrigation is being started immediately. The Guardian Minister also directed that the process of providing the Mahavitaran electricity connection required for this be completed, and that the necessary steps be taken to water the drying kharif crops on time.

Many farmers have fields both upstream and downstream of Pentakli dam. The Guardian Minister said a water-sharing plan should be drawn up after weighing the irrigation needs of farmers on both sides in a balanced manner. He said special care must be taken during distribution that no farmers in any area face injustice.

Patil made it clear that saving the kharif crops raised through farmers' hard work, and providing water for irrigation in time of need, should be the administration's highest priority. He asked the departments concerned to work in coordination so that there is no delay in releasing the water.

The decision will bring major relief to farmers in the command area of Pentakli dam, who were in distress because of the water shortage. Public representatives and farmers have expressed satisfaction.