Union Cabinet Secretary Pradeep Kumar Sinha has called for a coordinated and integrated action plan by the Centre as well as the State Governments to conserve water.

Sending a missive to the State Governments, Sinha has asked for the action plan and take measures for optimally utilising and storing rainwater and also taking other measures for water conservation.

He also asked for an integrated MIS to be in place by the Central Ministries in consultation with the State Governments.

The Cabinet Secretary has asked the Central Ministries to convey to the State Governments the total financial provision for each of the scheme for the whole financial year so that the States can suitably arrange funds from other schemes to mitigate the problem arising out of the drought conditions.

He has asked the State Governments to take up programmes like construction of farm ponds, community ponds, check dams and desilting measures on a priority basis.

In a letter to the State Governments, the Cabinet Secretary has asked them to take full advantage of the upcoming monsoon season to conserve the water that would be received as rainfall during this period. He also reminded them to use the existing water resources most optimally and prudently.

Emphasising on rainwater conservation, he said immediately the action plan should be drawn up and implementation is needed on priority basis for benefit of farmers and to tackle drought and flood conditions if any.

The Ministry of Water Resources and other Central agencies have been asked to provide technical assistances to the State Governments as they need coordinated efforts.

In the country there are 5.20 lakh irrigation tanks with a storage capacity of 3,000 crore Cubic Meters of water. Sinha has emphasised on restoration and augmentation of these water bodies through repair, restoration and renovation.

The MoWR has been funding such programmes and the State Governments have been asked to take advantage of the programme, said sources. He has asked to utilise MGNREGA funds for the programme and funds from Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojna (PMKSY) for Watershed Development.

Promotional media campaign is needed to raise awareness among the targeted households on importance of rain water harvesting and uptimal utilisation, said the Cabinet Secretary.

In fact, the Odisha Government has taken up steps to prepare action plan as Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi has asked four departments to join hands for water conservation and rainwaterharvest to ensure optimum utilisation.

The departments of Water Resources, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, and Housing and Urban Development will make joint efforts for water conservation and rainwater harvest.

Principal Secretary Water Resources Pradeep Jena is coordinating the entire efforts along with all the Principal Secretaries of the departments, said sources.