Efforts to resolve the Panchana Dam water dispute made little progress on Thursday after an administrative meeting to address the standoff was attended only by representatives from the command area in Sawai Madhopur seeking release of water, while the group opposing the move stayed away.
The meeting, chaired by Bharatpur Divisional Commissioner Nalini Kathotia, heard submissions from the command area delegation, but no representatives from Karauli district—where villagers have been guarding the Panchana Dam to prevent water release—participated.
Meeting Details
Sawai Madhopur Collector Kana Ram said, “The concerns and demands of the other side would be heard on Friday, as they did not attend the meeting since there was a mahapanchayat in their area today.”
In Karauli’s Hindaun City, farmers—predominantly from the Gujjar community—held a mahapanchayat in the Devlen area demanding that water from Panchana Dam be released into the Gambhir River for their region’s irrigation needs. Farmers from Hindaun, Bayana and Bharatpur participated in large numbers, citing concerns over a weak monsoon and potential impact on kharif crops if water supply is delayed.
Stakeholder Reactions
Ashok Dhabhai, president of the Panchana Hudla Sangharsh Samiti, said, “We had already informed the administration that we would not participate in the meeting. However, a memorandum was submitted to home minister Jawahar Singh Bedham, who was present in the district.”
Residents said more than 300 villages in Hindaun, Bayana, and Bharatpur lie along the Gambhir River. Protesters demanded regular releases from Panchana Dam into the river and urged the government to expedite the proposed Chambal–Panchana–Jagar and Gambhir River lift project as a long-term solution for irrigation and drinking water shortages.
Gangapur City MLA Ramkesh Meena, backing release of water to the command area, accused the government of complicating the issue and alleged the home minister was favouring the Gujjar community. “He (Bedham) went to Karauli to receive a memorandum, but he did not come to farmers in Sawai Madhopur who have been protesting for many days,” the Congress MLA said.
Former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot urged the state government to play an active role in preventing caste tensions, saying all regions need water and people have faith in the judiciary.
Key Points of the Dispute
- Farmers in Sawai Madhopur’s command area are demanding implementation of high court orders to release dam water into canals.
- Canals have allegedly remained dry for nearly 20 years, affecting irrigation and drinking water supplies in 35 villages of Sawai Madhopur.
- The demand for release of water is primarily backed by farmers from the Meena community.
- Members of the Gujjar community in neighbouring Karauli district are opposing the release.
- Gujjars want water supplied first to 39 villages around the dam that cannot access irrigation through gravity-fed canals.
