Squads to check illegal water diversion from irrigation canals

Monitoring squads led by Revenue Divisional Officers have been formed by the Coimbatore and Tiruppur district administrations to check illegal diversion of water from the irrigation canals of Thirumoorthy, Amaravathi and Bhavanisagar reservoirs, in deference to the persistent pleas of farmers in the tail-end.
The squads represented by officials of Revenue, Police, Water Resources and Electricity Departments have been empowered to seize electric motors, disconnect power supply and water pipelines, and book the offenders who would also face the risk of forgoing agricultural subsidies under the government schemes.
In Coimbatore district, squads have been formed for Coimbatore North, Coimbatore South and Pollachi divisions, and in Tiruppur district, three squads will check water theft in Udumalpet, Dharapuram and Tiruppur revenue divisions.
The formation of the squads has coincided with the release of water for irrigation of Second Zone ayacut of PAP Main Canal.