Mysuru: Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene leaders has threatened to stage protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office premises on July 16, if the irrigation department fails to release water from Kabini reservoir to various canals at the earliest.

Addressing mediapersons at Press Club here on Saturday, farmers’ leader Hosuru Kumar said, “If the government fails to release water from the Kabini reservoir at the earliest, the farmers who are into cultivation and depend on Kabini water will face a lot of hardship. Crops which are being grown will get affected and the farmers will be put into a lot of discomfort which may result in a drought like situation. Hence, keeping all this in mind, the district administration should take steps to release water from Kabini to various canals at the earliest”.

Apart from this Hosuru also called upon the district administration to keep an eye on fertilizers as there are many fake fertilizers which are cheating innocent farmers.

“There are many fake fertilizers in the market. The agriculture department should take steps to curb the menace. Apart from this, though the Central government has reduced Rs 250 on every 50 kg bags which was to be effective from July 1, most of the fertilizers dealers are selling the fertilizers at the old price that is for Rs 800 or Rs 850. The dealers say that they have old stock and until and unless these stocks are cleared, they can’t sell the fertilizers for the new price. Hence, the government should interfere and make suitable arrangements for the welfare of farmers and instruct the dealers to immediately provide the fertilizers on the new price,” added Hosuru.