Water woes for Godavari ryots in Rabi

KAKINADA: Lack of vision and negligence of Dowleswaram Irrigation Circle (DIC) is posing a threat to paddy cultivation in East and West Godavari districts in the ensuing rabi season.The DLC officials have so far not envisaged a comprehensive plan on irrigation for the rabi crop.Farmers in the Godavari districts are likely to have water shortage this rabi season for the third time in the last four years.The farming community is expressing concern over the functioning of DIC officials.Farmers suffered heavy loss during kharif and rabi seasons last year as the government failed to purchase it.While the paddy yield in East Godavari district was 13 lakh metric tonnes , it was 12.50 lakh metric tonnes in West Godavari district last year.DIC officials assured to provide irrigation to only 4.48 lakh acres as against of total ayacut of 8.96 lakh acres in the twin districts.In EG district, water will be supplied to 1.30 lakh acres in central delta (Konaseema area) where crop holiday was declared in the kharif season. But, the fate of the ayacut under Tulyabhaga, Teki and Pithapuram Branch canal has not yet been finalised.