Amritsar, June 16 Farmers have demanded revival of canal irrigation system in the region to address depletion of groundwater in the state. A farmer unionists claimed that the state government used to release 8,150 cusec water to Upper Bari Doab Canal in 1960s from Madhopur Head to meet requirement of Majha. Rattan Singh Randhawa, state general secretary, Jamhuri Kisan Sabha said, “The government is releasing less then 4,500 cusec water in the UBDC. It is insufficient for irrigation. The government is responsible for depletion of groundwater. In 1960s, the government used to release 8,150 cusec water.” He said it should be revived to ensure that farmers stop using tubewells to irrigate their fields. It is pertinent to mention that following the shortage of canal water, farmers had ploughed canal minors and water channels in various villages. “Earlier, there were water channels in every field. It helped in recharging groundwater. We need canal irrigation system back,” said Gulzar Singh, a farmer. Minister for Water Resources Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria said, “We have sent a proposal of Rs 1,100 crore for the UBDC to the Central Government. The system can be revived with funds only.” As the canal irrigation system has collapsed in the region, farmers were installing borewells at 400 to 600 ft in the region.

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