Admitting petitions filed by two advocates, Justices P N Prakash and R Mahadevan asked the Additional Advocate General (AAG) to examine the possibility of releasing water from Vaigai dam to save crops in the Melur region.
The Judges also directed the AAG to submit the government stand, in writing, on Jan 2,2014.
The advocates contended that nearly 100 acres falls under Mullaiperiyar Single Crop irrigation and the Mullaiperiyar Single Crop farmers are the oldest Ayakatudars in Periyar dam.
Petitioners' counsel submitted that irrigation water for the 2013-14 season was released on June 2013 for Cumbum double crops and Periyar main channel double crop areas. Water for single crop of Periyar main channel was released from Sept 25, 2013 to Oct 6, 2013, for 12 days, due to poor storage in Vaigai reservoir.
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Counsel submitted that for successful harvest, minimum of 80 days water is required and that after a long protest by the single crop farmers in Madurai district, water was released on November 2, 2013 which was disturbed in the turn system by the double crop farmers.
Counsel also submitted that farmers in Cumbum extension get water more than 120 days without stoppage and alleged that the single crop farmers were not considered.
Hence, he prayed for a direction to authorities to release water for another five more days to save the dying crops.
The AAG submitted that the water level in Vaigai dam was very low and was stored only for driking water distribution.
The AAG also submitted that the state is very much concerned over the problems of single crop farmers in the district and the water can be released only after consulting Chief Engineers of the Water Reservoir.