Maliya branch of Narmada canal declared prohibited zone
Ahmedabad, 13 June 2012
As cities in Saurashtra and Kutch including Rajkot and Bhuj facing acute shortage of drinking water, the Surendranagar district administration on Tuesday issued a notification and declared 107-km-long Maliya branch of Narmada canal a prohibited zone.
As per the notification issued by Additional district magistrate Shri MB Patel, the area on both sides of the branch canal in Lakhtar, Patdi, Dhrangandhra and Halvad talukas has been declared a prohibited zone.
Water lifting through pipe, pump and other means has been strictly banned, and SRP jawans are deployed for vigil.
The notification affects following villages: Lilapur, Ingrodi, Karela, Gedia, Sedla, Moti Malvan, Pipli, Akhiana, Ghamath, Vasadava, Bharada, Malvan, Sajjanpur, Jesda, Verendragadh, Satapar, Narali, Jashmatpar, Kankavati, Vaghgadh, Ranmalpur, Aaijar, Dhanad, Malniyad, Isanpur, Nava Amrapar, Ingorada, Mayapar, Ajitgadh, Khod-Miyani, Tikar and Nava Ghatila.
“Because of farmers and others drawing water illegally from Maliya canal passing through Surendranagar district, drinking water supply to Saurashtra-Kutch has been hit. That is why the canal area has been declared a prohibited zone,” said a notification.
As per the notification, anyone flouting the orders will be liable to be punished with a month’s imprisonment or fine under the Bmobay Police Act 133 and IPC section 188.
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What this really means is water need of farmers in Surendranagar is not completely met. I understand when there is scarcity of water, it needs to be distributed fairly across different regions. However, for Gujarat to realize its true agriculture potential, farmers should get sufficient water. Of course, monsoon is going to play a major role but government should make sure check dams are in place and innovative and advanced techniques are being used to increase conversation of water. Nevertheless, I am pretty sure what I am thinking today is what Modi must have already thought 5 years back if not before that.
Look at the stupidity of the Administrators. They made one more rule to stop breaking the previous one.
Someone needs to tell these morons that it does not help how many rules you make. It is about the implementation of existing ones.
If it is illegal to lift water from canal, punish them for doing so. New “FATAWA” will serve no purpose if you can’t implement any of them.
Gujarati, do you have any better idea on how to prevent farmers from stealing the water which is meant for someone else? As far as I know, several methods were tried, including punishing few farmers, but nothing worked which is why I think government has to take this extreme step and I am really glad they are taking it.
Yes! Better idea is severely punish the people who are drawing water illegally from the canal. Nothing works because law is not used uniformly.
It tell you how it works generally, First of all water is drawn illegally by a local MLA or political person’s relatives. Police can’t punish them and turn a blind eye. Gradually more and more people join in.
Eternal, are you assured that the farmers who broke the law earlier will not break it because government has made one more announcement of prohibited zone ? It was illegal even before this announcement. Until and unless guilty are punished, it will continue.
Gujarati, thanks for your reply. Gujarat government got strict with these farmers several months back and put some behind bars. However, Congress saw political opportunity in it and started telling these farmers how they are victimized. I believe once the elections are over, if anyone is still trying to steal water, will get adequately punished. The new law seems to be only an enhancement to the existing law so that those who are caught could be punished on multiple counts.