Gadchiroli April 1 (District Correspondent) The Congress workers will resort to a unique protest in the waters of river Wainganga on Chandrapur road here on April 5 next to press the demand of releasing the Gosekhurd Dam water for the farmers immediately and other burning issues of the farmers.
This was declared by District Congress Committee President Mahendra Brahmanawade and Armori MLA Ramdas Masram in a press conference here on Monday.
Gadchiroli district is a very remote and backward district and most of the citizens of the district depend on agriculture for their livelihood. The district has large rivers like Wainganga, Prahnita, Godavari that flow throughout the year. Due to heavy rainfall during the monsoon season and sometimes due to the release of Gosikhurd dam or water from Medigatta dam, floods frequently occur in the district and farmers suffer huge losses, pointed out Bramhanwade.
Many farmers on the river banks grow summer crops. However, due to the retention of water in Gosikhurd dam, the water level in the riverbed flowing in Gadchiroli district has decreased and farmers are now facing difficulties in farming. Many domestic animals and wild animals are also facing drinking water problems. Therefore, due to the decrease in the groundwater, many villagers are facing drinking water problems also.
The guardian minister and other authorities were requested to release water from Gosikhurd Dam, but the demand has not been fulfilled yet, hence the Congress workers have decided to stage a protest under waters of Waingannag River on April 5 next, told Brahmanawade and Masram.
Instead of acquiring fertile land for the Gadchiroli airport, other government or forest land should be used, additional land for proposed MIDC in Bhendala should not be acquired without discussing with the farmers, Kotgal Barrage affected farmers be given appropriate compensation should be given, outstanding wages of the labourers working under MNREGA should be paid immediately, all the farmers whose land has been acquired for the Wadsa – Gadchiroli railway line should be given compensation at the new rates etc are the other demands of this agitation, it was informed.
Pradesh Congress Secretary Pankaj Guddewar, City President Satish Vidhate, Mahila Congress’ Adv. Kavita Moharkar, Taluka Presidents Vasant Raut, Milind Khobragade, Pramod Bhagat, Prashant Koram, senior workers Rajesh Thakur, Devaji Sontakke, Diwakar Nisar, Netaji Gavature, Nitesh Rathod, Rajnikant Motghare, Rupesh Tikle and many other workers were also present at the press conference.
