States » NorthPosted at: Nov 15 2026 4:57PM


Canal water cuts threaten wheat sowing in Haryana, Selja demands immediate relief for farmers

Sirsa, Nov 15 (UNI) Congress MP Kumari Selja on Sunday accused the Haryana government of neglecting farmers' concerns over reduced canal water supply, warning that irrigation shortages in Sirsa and Fatehabad districts could severely affect wheat sowing and other agricultural operations.
The Sirsa MP and former union Minister demanded the restoration of the earlier canal water supply schedule, adequate irrigation water for tail-end villages, and immediate compensation for farmers whose crops were damaged by the October 24 hailstorm.
According to Selja, farmers previously received canal water for two weeks, followed by a two-week closure, but the supply period had now been reduced to one week, while the closure period remained two weeks.
She said the revised arrangement had aggravated irrigation problems, particularly in areas where groundwater was saline or unsuitable for cultivation.
"Farmers need water, electricity, fertilisers, fair prices for their crops and timely payments. Ensuring these basic requirements is the responsibility of the government," Selja said in a statement.
She urged the government to restore the previous supply arrangement and ensure adequate water reaches the tail ends of canals.
Supporting the demands raised by the Pagri Sambhal Jatta Kisan Sangharsh Committee in Fatehabad, Selja called for a review and withdrawal of cases registered against protesting farmers.
She also demanded compensation for crop losses caused by the October 24 hailstorm and an immediate resolution of the grievances of farmers staging a protest outside the Fatehabad Mini-Secretariat.
The Congress leader said the government should engage directly with farmer organisations and find practical solutions rather than allowing agricultural distress to deepen.
Raising concerns over paddy procurement, Selja demanded transparent purchasing arrangements at government mandis, fair prices and payments within the prescribed time.
She also called for adequate supplies of diammonium phosphate (DAP) and other fertilisers during the crucial wheat sowing season, saying farmers should not be forced to stand in long queues to obtain essential agricultural inputs.
"Farmers' problems cannot be resolved through announcements alone. The government must take concrete action on the ground," she said.
In a separate statement, Selja raised concerns over the alleged delay in releasing approximately Rs 85 crore for the mid-day meal scheme, saying the funding problem could affect nearly 15 lakh children studying in Haryana's government schools.
She claimed that schools were having difficulty arranging essential food supplies due to delayed payments under the centrally supported scheme.
According to the Congress MP, teachers at several schools were spending money from their own pockets to ensure that children continued receiving meals, while others were obtaining groceries on credit from local shopkeepers.
She said schools were struggling to purchase milk, curd, vegetables and cooking gas because of the funding delays.
Selja demanded immediate release of the pending amount and a regular payment mechanism to prevent disruption of meals for schoolchildren.
She said the government must ensure that financial and administrative delays did not affect children's access to nutritious meals.
The Congress leader called for urgent intervention to address both the agricultural distress facing farmers and the funding difficulties affecting government schools.
UNI KK RSA
Tags: #Canal water cuts threaten wheat sowing in Haryana# Selja demands immediate relief for farmers
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