Afzalpur farmers went on a padyatra from Afzalpur to Kalaburagi DC’s office demanding 15 tmc water in Bhima River from Maharashtra
Committee president Ramesh Patil said Bachawat Commission had delivered its award in 1972, requiring 15 TMC of water to be released to Karnataka, but Maharashtra released water only during floods rather than when required. “The 15 TMC of water is our rightful share.
He said severe drought had caused an acute shortage of water for crops, people and livestock, and urged Karnataka govt to immediately hold talks with central govt and Maharashtra govt. We are not asking for a favour; we are demanding what we are entitled to,” Biradar said. Farmer leader Shantappa said the water would benefit thousands of farmers in Kalaburagi, Vijayapura, Yadgir and Raichur districts. Shantappa Kudi, a farmer from Allagi, said govt pursued every legal and other option whenever the Cauvery issue arose and should adopt the same approach for Bhima.
Protesters accused state govt of focusing disproportionately on Cauvery and demanded equal efforts to protect Karnataka’s rights over Bhima water. He warned that the march would be extended to Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru if govt failed to act.