With water scarcity looming large in Haryana due to scanty rainfall in the hills this year, State Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar on Wednesday directed the officers to make elaborate arrangements for supply of water for irrigation and drinking purposes in the State.
Presiding over a meeting with the officers of Agriculture, Irrigation and Power Departments here, Khattar said that Government is giving utmost importance to supplying water for irrigation and drinking purposes. He also directed the officers to hold awareness drives to educate the farmers for optimum use of water and its conservation in the State.
It was informed in the meeting that water level in Bhakra Dam is 40 per cent less as compared to the corresponding period of previous year due to shortfall of rain in hilly areas. Because of this, BBMB is supplying less water in Bhakra Canal system.
Similarly, water availability in Western Yamuna Canal system is also less as compared to previous years.
It was also informed in the meeting that State Government is taking several initiatives for water conservation and its appropriate use. To ensure recharge of depleting ground water, as many as 682 water bodies have been constructed upto March 2016. The farmers were being encouraged to adopt drip and sprinkle system of irrigation to conserve the precious water.
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister OP Dhankar, besides senior officers of the State Government were present in the meeting.