THANJAVUR: Though AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi spoke of inter-linking national rivers and its importance in the national agenda, on Wednesday, he asked Cauvery delta farmers to find better ways to irrigate their crops rather than depend on the Cauvery.
Addressing delta farmers at Thanjavur, he said, though the Cauvery water dispute remains unresolved, farmers should realise that the control and management of many water resources of their localities, such as tanks and ponds is very much in their own hands.
He also pointed out that judicious use of monsoon water and better management of water resources overall, would benefit cultivation all the more.
According to the Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Management of Irrigation Systems Act 2000, enacted under the Central government’s participatory irrigation management policy framework, farmers have control over canals and other irrigation networks but not over the actual sources of water except some minor water sources. Central government assessments have shown that these initiatives have not been very successful.
Rahul asked the participating farmers how many of them were below 35.
When hands went up in response, he said he had expected more young farmers at the meeting and added that 30 per cent of young people in the country do not have any party identity and they must be brought into the Youth Congress fold.
Taking a dig at regional parties, he said a nod from the district secretary is all that is needed to fill a post in those parties, but that would not be the case with the Youth Congress.