With the shortage of water getting worse, farmers in the Gwalior Chambal Division, especially in the Dabra and Bhitarwar areas are facing a tough time saving their crops.

According to sources, the multi-purpose Madikheda Dam, situated in the Shivpuri district has sufficient water but due to the negligence on the part of the officials of the Water Resources Department, the water is not being released to the farmers of Dabra and Bhitarwar.

The sources also said that if water is released through the Harsi High Level Canal that connects Madikheda Dam to Dabra and Bhitarwar, the crops can still be saved and added that any further delay in releasing water will destroy all the crops in the area.

In this connection it is to be noted that as the monsoon intensifies the gates of Madikheda Dam will be opened for the water to flow into the Sindh River.

A delegation under the leadership of Jaswant Singh, the Rural President of the Kissan Morcha met the representative of the District Collector on Friday and presented a memorandum addressed to the governor of Madhya Pradesh. They have demanded the supply of adequate water for their crops and a few other demands and warned that they will go on an agitation if their just demands are not met.

The farmers are further annoyed because the administration is yet to release the bonus on last year’s sale of wheat. They also pointed out the poor condition of the mini Highway in Mohana and the road that connects Aron to Golari.

Speaking to the media persons, District Collector Anurag Chaudhary said that currently there is a shortage of water in the dams due to the delayed monsoon. He added that better rains are expected in the coming days and assured that adequate water will be released through the canals.