Farmers in Bikaner division are protesting due to irrigation water shortage putting crops at risk. The issue has heated up ahead of panchayat elections.
Farmers in the Khajuwala area have already protested for their share of irrigation water. In September, farmers announced a major movement in Gharsana demanding 58 percent irrigation water.
After this, the movement also took forms like road blockades and market closures. Now this issue is also seen heating up politically.
Voices of resentment against the Central and State Governments along with local representatives have intensified among farmers. Protest demonstrations are being organized by the agitating farmers.
Farmers have expressed anger against the following leaders regarding their demands:
The farmers' movement in the canal area of Jaisalmer is currently particularly serious. Farmers have started an indefinite sit-in in the Zero RD area.
They say that adequate irrigation water for the district's share is not being provided. Due to this, water is not reaching the tail of the canal and standing crops are being affected.
Farmers have raised the issue of demand for about 1,800 cusecs of water for Jaisalmer's share. Farmers say that despite assurances from officials, there has been no expected improvement at the ground level.
A warning has been given in the Mahapanchayat to make the movement more extensive. Farmers have announced to take tough steps like road blockades in the coming days.
A large part of farming in Western Rajasthan depends on canal water. A decrease in the prescribed irrigation water directly affects the farmers' crops and income.
In view of the widespread water shortage in Jaisalmer and Barmer, the state government has extended famine relief measures until the end of the year.
Farmers in Bikaner division say that the problem of irrigation water is not just a question of this season's crop, but it is directly affecting their economic condition.
This movement intensified at a time when the process of panchayat elections is going on in Rajasthan. The question of water is now becoming a major issue of political discussion in rural areas.
A meeting was held on October 6 under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. In this, BJP leaders of the region including Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal met.
The government has issued a regulation program of five irrigation turns in the Indira Gandhi Canal Project for Rabi 2026-27.
A plan to provide water based on available water resources has been stated. Now farmers are watching how much water actually reaches the tail of the canal according to the declared regulation.
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