Canal cleaning over, Abohar MLA slams govt, says work still incomplete

As the 15-day scheduled closure of several canals in the Abohar canal division ends on Tuesday, farmers expressed dissatisfaction over incomplete cleaning work. Despite assurances of maintenance, the canals remained partially clogged, leaving farmers frustrated.

In response to multiple complaints from farmers, MLA Sandeep Jakhar visited Malukpura Minor today, a sub-canal, to assess the cleaning efforts made by the department concerned. Jakhar criticised the cleaning work, calling it an “eye-wash” exercise that failed to address the actual problem. He pointed out that while water was expected to be released into the canals tomorrow, much of the silt and accumulated debris remained, preventing water from reaching the tail-end of the canal system in adequate quantities.

Jakhar also raised concerns about the large tenders worth crores of rupees issued for the cleaning work, alleging that the incomplete cleaning suggested potential corruption. He warned that the water released tomorrow could carry garbage into the fields and water works, which had been largely dried up.

The Abohar water works, which relied on tube well water, had been supplying reduced water to consumers during this period.