Political parties, farmers, traders to observe fast on July 17 Members of various political parties, farmers associations, trading community and various other organisations in the district have decided to observe a token fast in Erode on July 17 to protest against the Kerala Government's move to construct a dam across the Siruvani River in Attapadi. The decision was taken at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Tamil Nadu Farmers Association (TFA) District President E.R. Kumarasamy here on Sunday. Erode Member of Parliament A. Ganesamurthy, former Congress MLA Vidiyal Sekar, Lower Bhavani Farmers Association President S. Nallasamy, Lower Bhavani Turn System Farmers Association President Kasiyannan, Federation of All Trade and Industry Associations of Erode District N. Sivanesan, TFA District Secretary T. Subbu and members of various organisations attended the meeting. Siruvani is one of the tributaries of Bhavani river, which is the primary water source for thousands of farmers in the district. A majority of the speakers in the meeting wanted the Central Government to intervene in the issue and prevent the Kerala Government from going ahead with its plan to construct the dam as it would affect the livelihood of thousands of farmers in Tamil Nadu. More than 2.5 lakh acres in Erode, Tirupur and Karur districts depend on the water from Bhavani river for irrigation. The construction of the dam will reduce the flow of water in Bhavani river, which will leave the farming community to face severe water shortage. Speakers also decided to create awareness among people in the district on the issue and bring them together to fight against the Kerala's move. Mr. Ganesamurthy appealed to the farmers associations and other organisations in the district to join hands and apply more pressure on the Central and State governments, which would help prevent Kerala from going ahead with its plan. The participants in the meeting also decided to organise a series of agitations if the Kerala Government failed to withdraw its plans that affected the interests of the farming community in Tamil Nadu. Siruvani is one of the tributaries of River Bhavani Farmers in Erode, Tirupur and Karur districts depend on River Bhavani for irrigation