THE security staff of the Chief Minister and Police Department had a hard time controlling the mob when large number of farmers came to meet Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray who, on seeing farmers, halted his convoy to interact with them. He accepted their memorandum and assured to address the grievances.

 

After landing in Brahmapuri, Chief Minister went to inspect Ghodezari canal work - the part of right canal of Gosikhurd Project. As he was there only for a few minutes and in face of to heavy security, people, particularly enthusiastic Shiv Sainiks, who were present there in large numbers to meet their leader, could find no time to meet him. Many expressed their displeasure on not being able to meet the Chief Minister.

 

Later, as his convoy left the spot, the group of farmers, headed by Adv Govind Bhendarkar, chief of Gosikhurd Struggle Committee, tried to stop his convoy. On seeing them, Chief Minister’s motorcade, stopped and Thackeray got out of his car to interact with the farmers. He personally accepted the memorandum and assured to address the grievances. As this was going on, the cops had a hard time controlling large number of farmers, who were desperate for being heard.

 

It may be noted that Ghodezari canal was not in the original plan of Gosikhurd project but was later on included in 2006 on public demand. The length of canal was 55 km which was expected to irrigate 1,000 hectares of agricultural land in Nagbhid, Mul and Sindewahi tehsils. Now even after almost 15 years since work started, not a single farmer has been able to avail any benefit of irrigation. Crores of rupees have been spent but benefits have not reached the ryots. In all, 1 km to 18 km stretch of 55-km long Ghodezari canal was to be used for lift irrigation but unfortunately this has not been realised even after 15 years.

 

The farmers got only 5 minutes to narrate their concerns to the Chief Minister. CM Thackeray was accompanied by Vijay Wadettiwar, Cabinet Minister and District Guardian Minister during his visit to Ghodazeri canal work on Friday.