Padayatra for completion of irrigation projects

BIJAPUR: The people of Bijapur have witnessed three padayatra's, in the last two decades, rooting for the cause of farmers.
The first was arranged under the leadership of Neelgund swami in 1990, for taking up the Mulawad lift irrigation project. The second was led by present MP Basanagouda Patil (Yatnal) in 2005, from Bhima river to Krishna River.
The third padayatra commenced on January 5, 2009 in the district, to pressurize the state government to complete all irrigation projects on war footing.It commenced from Devar Hipparagi under the leadership of MLA A S Patil (Nadahalli) and will end at Almatti on January 10.
Patil clarified that, there will be no politics in this padayatra. The main aim of it is to ensure proper irrigation of the district lands. Politicizing irrigation matters will only stun development, he said. The JD(S) and BJP leaders have not joined the padayatra, in spite of our invitation to all of them, he said.
Nadahalli further stated that, the agitation will continue till their demands are fulfilled. The padayatra has gone through Utnal, Dindawar, Huvin Hipparagi, Jayawadagi, Rudagi, Basarakod, Hullur, Nidagundi and Almatti villages. The padayatra will cover a total of 105 kms over six days.
As and when the padayatra enters any village, the women start performing Arati to Nadahalli and other leaders for the success of their endeavour.
Nearly 1,000 farmers participated in the padayatra from the starting point. On the third day, the number went up to 6,000, out of which 35% are women. Nearly half a dozen vehicles are following the padayatra, including an ambulance for medical support. All necessary arrangements for overnight stays and meals, have been made by the local farmers. The padayatris walk nearly 15 kms everyday.
In some villages, facilities were arranged for the leaders to speak about the purpose of the padayatra. Folk artistes accompany the padayatra, singing songs for entertainment.
Four persons were admitted to the hospital at Talikoti, because they wanted to go on the padayatra without eating anything. A physically handicapped person, Tukaram Pujari, of Hitnalli village joined the padayatra from Devar Hipparagi.
KPCC general secretary, MLC Prakash Rathod, told 'The Times of India' about his experience during the padayatra. "These people have lost their valuable land for the completion of Almatti dam, but are being neglected by the government. They need the scheme to irrigate their lands, in order to improve their financial status," he said.
If the state BJP government still fails to allocate necessary funds for the completion of the irrigation projects in the coming budget in March, 2009, nearly one lakh farmers of the district will gherao the Vidhan Soudha, he added.
Muddebihal MLA C S Nadagouda, former MLC B G Patil (Halasangi), former MLA's Manohar Ainapur, Sharanappa Sungar and Raju Alagur, former ZP president Yashawantaragouda Patil, former ZP vice-president Shivanagouda Patil, member Kallappa Desai and many others participated in the padayatra.