Farmers in Dharmapuri Warn of Election Boycott Over Water Project
Farmers in Dharmapuri district have issued a stern warning to the state government, threatening to boycott the upcoming assembly election on April 23 if a Rs 20 crore plan to dig large wells in the Vallimadurai-Varattaru reservoir area proceeds. They argue that the project, aimed at increasing drinking water supply to Harur municipality, will severely reduce groundwater levels and negatively impact agricultural activities in more than 20 villages, including Achalvadi, Kudumiyampatty, and Eettiyampatty.
Project Details and Farmer Concerns
According to local farmers, the government is implementing this initiative under the Karunanidhi Urban Development Scheme. A bhoomi puja ceremony was conducted in February, attended by DMK MP Mani, marking the start of the project. G Prakash, a farmer representative, explained that the scheme's objective is to boost daily drinking water supply from 19.5 lakh litres to 29.5 lakh litres for Harur municipality. However, farmers fear that this extraction will deplete the Vallimadurai-Varattaru dam, which currently has a storage level of 34.45 feet near the Chitheri Hills. This reservoir is crucial as it fills 25 lakes in the region and supports irrigation across approximately 6,000 acres of farmland.
Protests and Political Implications
In response to the project, locals have launched black flag demonstrations, displaying black flags on their houses and distributing pamphlets to raise awareness about the potential adverse effects. They are also planning to put up posters with the message "No vote for a govt that takes away our livelihood," calling for an election boycott. Farmers accuse the government of betrayal, noting that water was released for irrigation only last month in February, and they describe the new project as a "robbery scheme" that prioritizes urban needs over rural livelihoods.
Broader Context and Community Impact
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between urban development and agricultural sustainability in Tamil Nadu. With the assembly election approaching, this issue could influence voter sentiment in Dharmapuri and surrounding districts. The farmers' protests underscore the critical importance of groundwater management in regions dependent on farming, and their boycott threat adds pressure on the government to reconsider the project's implementation.
