New Delhi, 24^th June, 2014

          The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that farmers of Nidani village close to Jind City have not been getting water for irrigation as the authorities have failed to repair the dilapidated water channel for years.  No water is flowing in the channel since last three years.  The farmers have been constrained to use ground water which is unfit for irrigation purpose as a result their crop production has gone down.

          Reportedly, the Sub-Divisional Officer, Irrigation claimed that the fund for repairing the channel had to be approved by the Government and this would take months.

          The Commission has observed that the contents of the press report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights.  Accordingly, a notice has been issued to the Chief Secretary and the Secretary, Irrigation Department, Government of Haryana calling for reports within four weeks.