Punjab Irrigation and Power Minister Rana Gurjeet Singh on Friday asked the Irrigation Department to use information technology for reviewing and monitoring various projects of department including running of canals to bring transparency in the working of the department.
He asserted that making the irrigation water available to the farmers at the tail ends shall remain the major priority of the department.
Rana Gurjeet, reviewing the irrigation works during a meeting with senior officials and engineers of the department, directed the department officials to add maximum value to all works of the department in terms of quality and quantity besides ensuring that works on all the projects should be completed in a time bound manner.
Directing department to ensure judicious use of canal water, he also emphasised on the optimum utilisation of irrigation water by lining of water channels and by replacing the open water channels with underground pipe system.
Expressing concern over the depleting water table in the State, the Irrigation Minister directed the engineers of the department to prepare a comprehensive plan for recharging of the sub surface water.
He also directed that termite colonies on 8000 km drainage network of the state should be controlled and plantation should be ensured on the banks of rivers, canals and drains in collaboration with forest department.
Stressing on the need of tapping aligned resources, Rana Gurjeet said that the canal network should be explored for micro hydel power production and for tapping solar energy. “In order to safeguard and promote fishery, especially the rare species, the Government would allow the use of State Reservoirs in consultation with the Department of Fisheries,” he said.