Some farmers groups have opposed the State government’s decision not to release water for irrigation from the Almatti dam.
Farmers leaders Arvind Kulkarni and Panchappa Kalburgi have threatened to launch protests if the State government does not release water for irrigation for the rabi cropping season.
“The Irrigation Consultative Committee that met in Bengaluru has decided not to release water from the Almatti and Narayanpur reservoirs for irrigation during the coming rabi season. This will adversely impact farmers in the Upper Krishna Project command area, particularly in Vijayapura and Bagalkot districts. The committee has said that drought conditions and limited water availability in the two reservoirs have forced its decision. It has resolved to reserve the available water exclusively for drinking and industrial purposes and ruled out releasing water irrigation during the forthcoming rabi season. This is not acceptable,” Mr. Kulkarni said in a release.
Mr. Kulkarni said that adequate water has not reached agricultural fields or local tanks despite the reservoirs holding substantial stocks earlier in the season. He warned that farmers will stage a protest by entering the Almatti reservoir backwaters if water is denied for crops.
He said that officers have released water to Telangana on the oral orders of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and not written directives.
Mr. Kalburgi said that denying canal water will jeopardise crops already sown for the rabi season. He urged the authorities to reassess the availability of water in the reservoirs and give priority to safeguarding the livelihoods of farmers.
“Despite the repeated appeals to elected representatives and officials, their grievances remain unresolved,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sangamesh Sagar questioned the rationale behind the decision of the committee. Why should the State government guarantee water to industries and not farming? This is condemnable, he said.
Published - October 23, 2026 08:38 pm IST