Farmers in Bikaner division are protesting against water shortage, impacting crops and creating political tension ahead of the upcoming Panchayat elections.
Farmers allege that their standing crops are in danger due to not getting enough water. Due to this, they are facing heavy economic loss.
Farmers in the Khajuwala area have been demanding their share of water for a long time. In September also, a big movement was held here demanding 58 percent water.
During the movement, strict steps like road blockades and market closures were also taken. Now this anger has spread to Jaisalmer.
The situation remains even more serious in the canal area of Jaisalmer. Farmers have started an indefinite sit-in in the Zero RD area.
Farmers say that adequate irrigation water of the district's share is not being made available. Due to this, water is not able to reach the tail of the canal.
The main demands and concerns of the farmers are as follows:
This movement has now taken a political form rather than just administrative. Farmers are expressing their anger against the Central and State Governments.
Protests are being held against Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. The effigy of Irrigation Minister Suresh Rawat was also burnt.
The process of Panchayat elections is currently going on in Rajasthan. In such a situation, the issue of water has become the main center of electoral debate in rural areas.
An important meeting was also held on October 6 under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister. In this, BJP leaders of the area including Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal met.
Farmers have warned that if the demands are not met, the movement will be further expanded. This may also include steps like road blockades.
The state government has issued a regulation program for the Indira Gandhi Canal Project. This program is for the irrigation turns of Rabi 2026-27.
The government claims that a plan has been made to provide water based on available water resources. However, farmers are still waiting for actual supply.
A large part of farming in Western Rajasthan is completely dependent on canal water. Water shortage directly affects the income of farmers.
Famine relief measures in Jaisalmer and Barmer have also been extended till the end of the year. Now the eyes of the farmers are fixed on the water reaching the tail of the canal.
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