State Advisory Board for Development of Kissans (SABDK) today took cognizance of a news report appearing in a section of the press about inundation of 400 kanals of paddy land in Awantipora and directed for its immediate action on the issue. Vice Chairman SABDK, Daljit Singh Chib, was apprised at a meeting he chaired to discuss the issue, that submerging of the paddy field was due to blockage of drainage system in many Awantipora villages by 4-lanning of National Highway which passes through these villages. The meeting was told that due to accumulation of rain water in paddy fields of Kigam, Chursoo, Chachkoot, Lethpora, Awantipora up to Marval Kandizaal of District Pulwama, farmers of these areas won’t be able to cultivate their fields as paddy saplings season will begin in coming days. It was said that the inundation has also damaged mustard crop and fodder grown by these farmers.
While taking serious note of the submergence of the agriculture land and difficulties being faced by the farmers, the Vice Chairman instructed the executing agency of the highway 4-lanning project M/S RAMKY Infrastructure Ltd to immediately start dewatering operations and make functional the installed drainage system, so that farmers can prepare the affected land for the paddy plantation well in time.It was suggested that there needs a new drainage system to be installed as a long term measure, whose construction shall be taken up with the Chief Engineer MID, Kashmir in consultation with concerned wing of Irrigation and Flood Control Department.The VC said that he will soon visit the affected paddy fields, so that on spot assessment can be made along with the all stake holders to decide the recommendations for remedial measures of the submergence of this paddy land.Executive Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control Awantipora, Naib Tehsildar Revenue, Project Manager RAMKY infrastructure Ltd., Representative of National Highway Authority of India Ltd (NHAI) Officers and officials of Agriculture Department & SABDK, besides affected farmers were present in the meeting.