Farmers of two constituencies — Rawatsar and Pilibanga — are a disappointed lot and feel betrayed with both BJP and Congress.Since decades, they have been struggling with seepage of water from the Indira Gandhi canal, flooding their fields and villages. The water seeps into the fields but doesn’t go deep as it hits the gypsum, flooding the fertile lands.The problem, began in 1980s, is known as ‘sem’ in local language and hits a number of villages in the district. Once rich, many farmers are finding hard to make a living. The flooding has ruined about 40,000 bighas of land and hits about one lakh people from 25 villages under seven gram panchayats of the district.For example, Deva Ram, 80-year-old former sarpanch and owner of about 55 bighas of land, now works as daily labourer and earns Rs100 to Rs150 a day.“Villages like Badopal, Kumaran Wali Dhani and Jeewan Nagar have been ruined due to flooding. We had approached ministers, MLAs, former legislators. In 2015, we had met Congress president Rahul Gandhi when he visited the district. But there has been no solution yet,” said Darshana Jhakhar a farmer at Badhopal village near Hanumangarh said.“In 1992, some farmers were relocated and were given compensation. Since then, various schemes have been launched to pump out water, but the problem persists,” said Chandra Bhan, a farmer at Khatwari village near Rawatsar.“Politicians keep coming up with promises but deliver nothing. Before every election, we get to hear that the problem will be solved soon,” said Mahesha Ram Somara, another farmer.Farmers also stated protests against the government’s apathy several times. “Time is running out fast before our farms become useless,” said Somara.Farmers say elections don’t really matter to them. “We will participate in the election process. We also know that no one will work for us,” said Pappu Chaudhary, a farmer.

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