Nellore: Tension prevailed at Zilla Parishat Hall here when Atmakur legislator Mekapati Gautham Reddy along with a large number of farmers on Thursday staged a protest before the ZP office demanding supply of water to Atmakur region from Somasila project.
Tension prevailed at the site while he threatened to stop the supply of water from Somasila to any other area if their demand was not met.
Reminding that Somasila project is located in Atmakur constituency, he questioned the rationale behind the meagre allotment of water to the segment while pointing to the ordeals of the farmers of tail end areas for water.
The legislator also found fault with the ruling party leaders and officials for differentiating delta and non-delta regions while allocating water.
Gautham Reddy has demanded 6.5 tmc to his assembly segment to save the farming community while pointing to the loss they suffered during the last three years because of inadequate water supply.
Stressing that only 29,000 acres can be cultivated in Atmakur mandal with the present allocation of 2.9 tmc.ft, he urged for additional water to address the needs of farmers in AS Peta mandal under Somasila North Canal.
The legislator made it clear that, he would be compelled to launch an agitation along with farmers from the region if their demands are not addressed.
The legislator along with farmers submitted a memorandum on the issue to the Agriculture Minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy and Collector R. Muthyala Raju on the sidelines of ZP general body meeting held on Thursday.
Both the minister and the collector assured to find a solution to the problem.
Meanwhile Mr Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy said that they have decided to provide water for 3.21 lakh acres from Somasila during the current agriculture season. Referring to 15 tmc.ft transferred to Kandaleru dam from Somasila, he said they are giving water for cultivation to only 20,000 acres as they have to ensure sufficient quantity for drinking water to quench the thrust of people depending on Kandaleru.
He said they are forced to reduce the quantum of allotment of water for irrigation because of the drought condition that prevailed this year while pointing to water given for 7 lakh acres last year and 9 lakh acres in 2016.
Urban Development Minister P. Narayana, ZP Chairman B. Raghavendra Reddy, Sarveypalli legislator Kakani Govardhan Reddy, MLC Beeda Ravichandra, Kovur legislator Polamreddy Srinivasulu Reddy, Venkatagiri legislator K. Ramakrishna and Udayagiri legislator Bollineni Rama Rao were also present.
