Vijayapura: The Irrigation Consultative Committee (ICC) finally has unanimously taken the decision to release the water for Kharif season to canals from July 26.
The decision was taken during the meeting chaired by ICC Chairman and Public Works Department Minister C. C. Patil at the office of KBJNL in Almatti on Tuesday July 26.
The meeting which was attended by the MLAs of all the beneficiaries of the Almatti Dam water, reached the decision based on the availability of water in Almatti and Narayanapura Dams.
“The meeting has unanimously decided to start releasing the water to canals for irrigation purposes from July 26,” declared Patil in the meeting.
The officials informed that Almatti and Narayanapura Dams together have water availability of 97.491 tmcft, for releasing water to canals for 120 days, around 67 tmcft water is required. Around 13 tmcft of water is required for other uses including for drinking. Together around 80 tmcft of water is needed.
The dams have adequate water to meet the demand. The decision has been taken based on the availability of water, possibility of more inflow into the dam and requirement of water for various purposes including irrigation, drinking water and industrial purposes, the officials informed the meeting.
During the meeting, MLAs including Amaregouda Bayyapur, Ramesh Bhusnur, Shivanagouda Nayak, Ragouda, Yeshwantraigouda Patil, and Somanagouda Patil Sasnur said that the farmers of their constituencies are eagerly waiting for the water as they have not received copious rains.
They urged the Chairman to start releasing water as early as possible for irrigation.
After taking views of the MLAs and considering the availability of water, the unanimous decision was taken to start releasing water on regulated basis which is releasing of water for 14 days and stopping it for eight days after complete stoppage of inflow from July 26.
The meeting also decided to complete the closure works after the end of Kharif season.
Meanwhile, Patil has appealed to the farmers to use the water judiciously without wasting it. He urged the farmers to cooperate with the officials of KBJNL.
The next meeting of ICC would be held in November this year to release water for the Rabi season.
MLAs, Veeranna Charantimath, A. S. Patil Nadahalli, D. S. Holageri, Deputy Commissioners Vijaymahantesh Danammanavar, P. Sunil Kumar and officials of KBJNL were present.
