Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday called for plans to lay power lines on river banks in forest areas to expand irrigation facilities for farmers.
The expansion of the power lines should be expedited in aspirational districts especially in Bastar, Surguja region and Korba district, utilizing the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMF) funds.
Baghel was holding a review meeting of the Energy Department here, an official statement said. The river banks will be suitable to erect the power lines in forest areas. The utilization of river water will help reduce the exploitation of groundwater.
On priority, the work should be undertaken at Bastar (Indravati river), Sukma (Sabari river), Korba (Hasdeo river) and Dantewada (Shankani and Dankini rivers), he said.
In areas where power supply is not feasible, the farmers are provided solar pumps under the scheme of ‘Saur Sujala Yojana’.
The Chief Minister said that in forest areas the Collector should use DMF funds to dig bore wells and install solar pumps in fields of farmers. The traditional pond should be linked with a solar community irrigation scheme, he said.
Reviewing the energisation of irrigation pumps as announced in the budget session, it was informed that out of 35,161 irrigation pumps announced till date, 11,661 have been given power connection.
Work is in progress in 23,500 irrigation pumps and is expected to get over by November.
