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Julana farmers to block Delhi-Jind highway over waterlogging

Jind: On Thursday, farmers from villages near Julana town warned the Haryana government and the Jind district administration that they would stage a protest if something is not done about waterlogging in their fields. The agitated farmers have issued a 24-hour ultimatum.

Surjeet Kumar, former sarpanch of Shamlo Kalan village, said even after several requests to the local administration and the state government to find a solution to waterlogging, their demands fell on deaf ears.

“We held a meeting with the affected farmers and plan to meet again after 24 hours. If our demands are not met soon, we will block the Delhi-Jind highway. Farmers even threatened to end their lives,” Surjeet said.

Farmers said more than 2,000 acres of farmland get inundated due to rain every year. Surjeet said farmers of Shamlo, Khema Kheri, Ramkali, Gusai Khera, Gatauli, Jaijwanti, Garvali Khera, Bakhta Khera, Karela Jhmola, Padana Nidana and Dighana were affected due to waterlogging since 1985. “Many governments have come and gone, but our problem persists,” he said.

Rishi Pal, a farmer, said, “A farmer is completely dependant on agriculture. But if our fields are always submerged, how will we able to grow crops? The situation has gone from bad to worse in the last three years. It has come to such a pass that we don’t have money to send our children to school.”

Another farmer Sunder Singh said, “Poor drainage is the main reason for waterlogging. There is no way to drain the water which stays in the field and destroys the crops.”

When contacted, Jind deputy commissioner (DC) Aditya Dahiya said, “We have demanded 40 pumps from Karnal to pump out water. We have also asked for high-power generator sets to be installed in Shamlo Kalna and Karela, which will help in pumping out the water.”

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