Telkoi: Locals have alleged irregularities were committed in the renovation of the Hanumatia dam at Saleikena panchayat under this block in Keonjhar managed by the minor irrigation department. They took up the issue with the sub-collector Friday.
Reports said Rs 50 lakh is being pumped into renovation of the project which aims at providing irrigation to 12,000 hectares of land in Oria, Saleikena, Dobalapal and Telkoi panchayats.
Scores of farmers from the tail end areas of the dam – Saleikena, Dimiria, Kata, Halpodi, Chandrasekharpur and Telkoi – demanded before the sub-collector and the officials of the irrigation department that an investigation should be ordered into the ‘irregularities’.
They lamented that they have been paying water cess, but are deprived of availing water for their farmlands.
The farmers argued that if the reconstruction of the dam is properly carried out, it will deliver water to the areas targeted by the department during both kharif and rabi seasons.
SDO of the minor irrigation division, B Sudhakar, said the work has just started. “The department has engaged an engineer and an overseer to monitor the ongoing renovation. Special attention will be paid to the allegation of the farmers,” the SDO added.
PNN