Vidisha farmers demand water release from Halali Dam to save paddy crops

Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari has written to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav requesting the release of water from the Samrat Ashok Sagar Project (Halali Dam) to save paddy crops in the Vidisha district. Approximately 76,000 hectares of paddy crops are facing a crisis due to insufficient rainfall.

Patwari noted significant rainfall deficits in various areas: Vidisha tehsil recorded 29% less rain, Gulabganj 42%, Kurwai 31%, and Shamshabad 30%. Despite the Halali Dam currently holding 231.87 million cubic meters of water—nearly 92% of its capacity—farmers have reported no concrete relief from the administration.

The Congress leader highlighted that Vidisha is the parliamentary constituency of Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He suggested that political tensions between the Chief Minister and the Union Minister might be impacting the local farmers' ability to receive timely assistance. Patwari urged the government to assess technical feasibility for canal irrigation, repair canals, conduct crop damage surveys, and ensure eligible farmers receive insurance benefits.