news details |
|
|
| IRRIGATION PROJECTS TO PREVENT CROP FAILURE IN THE PIPLELINE : SOZ | | | Srinagar , Jan 14
Farmers of districts like Vidharbha, where farmer suicides have been rampant over the past few years, may finally witness a relief in the year 2007, the Water Year. The Union Water Resource Ministry has marked 31 affected districts across the four states where special irrigation projects shall be launched to prevent crop failure and the union government shall grant Rupees 5,000 crore to these states for implementation of these schemes.
For Jammu and Kashmir, the Water Resources Minister, Saif-u-Din Soz, has a package of grants under AIBP for four ongoing irrigation projects, grants for three new projects – one of them being an irrigation project while the other two being projects for conservation of water bodies – besides the ongoing project for beautification of Jehlum and removal of silt from all its tributaries.
Before leaving for New Delhi after a two day visit of J&K state, Union Water Resources Minister, Saif-u-Din Soz, said that his ministry planned to convene a ground water congress, bring in a model bill for rainwater harvesting in each state and hold twenty functions to be chaired by the prime minister. The ministry shall also select 5000 central villages and townships to create " Pani Panchayats" to mobilize of people for water conservation.
"Grants under AIBP (Ist installment) has been provided for four on going projects – Rafiabad high lift irrigation scheme, Rajpora lift irrigation scheme, 28 minor irrigation schemes and Tral irrigation scheme," the Rajya Sabha member from J&K said.
The union minister also said that canals like Dadi, Mav, Martand, Nandi and Babul shall be modernized while 44 tube wells for irrigation and drinking water purposes were at different stages of development under the central ground water board and process to transfer them to state government was on. Ministry was also surveying the higher reaches of the state to implement lift irrigation schemes wherever necessary.
"There is special emphasis of conservation and beatification of Jehlum and removal of silt from its tributaries shall be undertaken," Soz said. "The legacy of 5000 years of Kashmir is settled on its banks, so its conservation is a priority," he added.
The government of India has earlier declared 2007 as Water Year during which the conservation of water resources and replenish of ground water by rainwater harvesting and safe drinking water for each citizen shall be among the few priority areas. Also the government plans to elevate irrigation and flood management to the priority list in the 11th plan and give special emphasis to the plight of farmers affected by failure of crops.
"Prime Minister has personally visited many of the worst affected areas and has chosen 31 districts, where suicides have been rampant after crop failure due to irrigation water shortage. Special projects shall be launched for irrigation in these 31 districts mainly spread across states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala," Soz said where speaking to media personnel at his residence in Srinagar.
The minister also stated that safe drinking water was an area of concern for the union government and his ministry planned to take adequate measures in this respect during the Water Year.
"Every citizen has a right for not only water, but safe drinking water," the Water resources Minister said adding that he had written to all chief ministers to create awareness among the people and seek their cooperation in preventing pollution or misuse of water.
Unfolding the programmes planned for the water year, the water resources minister revealed that 5000 Pani Panchayats were being created at central villages and townships "to create awareness through watermen and water-women for legitimate use of water and conservation of water resources."
Besides this, the ministry had prepared a model bill for rainwater harvesting that would be sent to states for passage in their respective legislatures, Soz said adding that states needed to create funds for flood management and irrigation. Soz also said that all chief ministers have put forward demands for irrigation schemes.
Stating that the prime minister shall chair twenty functions/activities during the year to create awareness for water conservation, Soz said "We will also convene a ground water congress this year. We do not have a water shortage but we need to conserve water and prevent the water table from declining."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
