Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal on Thursday directed the officers to prepare district-wise action plan for desilting of village ponds and carry out a detailed survey to explore the possibility of developing water bodies, lakes and aquaculture in the water-logged and low lying areas in the state.

The Chief Minister while presiding over a meeting of State Drought Relief and Flood Control Board here said that a committee of experts should be constituted to look into the causes of water-logging through scientific manner.

 As many as 117 new schemes were approved in the meeting to strengthen the flood control system in the state. A sum of Rs 177.21 crore will be spent on their implementation to strengthen the flood-control system during the rainy season.

Manohar lal also reviewed 140 ongoing schemes costing Rs 266 crore for flood control and drainage of Irrigation and Water Resources department.

Directing the Deputy Commissioners and other officers of Irrigation Department to ensure speedy implementation of these schemes, the Chief Minister asked them to complete desilting  of all canals and drains before May 2017.  He also directed to set up a separate cell in Irrigation Department to study and monitor provisions about natural water flow of the state.

Reviewing the schemes of Public health and Engineering Department, he directed the officers to take advance steps for providing adequate drinking water facilities during the summer season. In addition, adequate arrangement for drainage of sewerage system should also be made in towns.

During the meeting, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minster OP Dhankar asked the officers to conduct a study about natural flow of water and prepare a latest map accordingly so that further action could be taken to ensure effective solution to the problem of water logging and floods in different areas in the state.