The State Government is paying special attention on expansion of irrigation schemes for welfare of farmers, officials informed.
In the same sequence, the Government has given administrative sanction of Rs1.75 crore for Petpulli Anicut work on Petpulli Nala of Bakawand block in Bastar district.
The construction of the Anicut will enable water supply in the area for irrigation of nearly 50 hectares in Kharif season and that of 35 hectares in Rabi season. Moreover, this will also promote groundwater conservation. Notably, the Chhattisgarh Government has ensured usage of nearly 73 per cent of the extended irrigation capacity which is far better than many other states of the country, officials stated.
The actual irrigation capacity for Kharif season has doubled whereas the irrigation capacity for Rabi season has increased by 10 times, they stated.
Notably, the Chhattisgarh Government had also made all preparations to strengthen Central Government’s Water Conservation and Management policy of ‘’Jal Kranti Abhiyaan’’ (Water Revolution Mission).
A total of 54 severe water scarce villages have been selected for the Mission. Two villages from each of the 27 districts have been selected for the purpose.
Meanwhile, the State Government’s Water Resource Department has given an revised administrative sanction of Rs20.73 crore for Bakori Water Reservour Scheme in Magarlod block of Dhamtari district.
Irrigation of Kharif crops on 769 hectare area is proposed from this irrigation scheme.
The Water Resources Department has also given revised administrative sanction of Rs3.84 crore for Amapara Diversion Irrigation Scheme in Kota block of Bilaspur district in Chhattisgarh.
This irrigation scheme will provide irrigation facility for Kharif crops in 160 hectares area. The State Government has also given revised administrative sanction of Rs7.94 crore for construction of Rajpur Irrigation Diversion Scheme of Antagarh block of North Bastar (Kanker) district.
The completion of this project will ensure water supply for irrigation of nearly 200 hectares area in Kharif season.
Notably, the State Horticulture Department has achieved 25 per cent target so far for the State sponsored irrigation scheme for promoting drip irrigation in Kanker district.
A target of irrigating 100 hectares of land using drip irrigation had been set in centrally sponsored scheme and 80 hectares under State sponsored scheme. Notably, the Chhatt-isgarh Government is also reviving defunct check-dams across the State by repairing them in a bid to bolster its ongoing water conservation measures taken up across the State.
About 2, 600 new check dams had also been sanctioned and 679 check-dams had been constructed already. The excess water from the monsoons is being collected in this process. The water is being utilized for fish culture, officials informed.
Notably, over 1.24 lakh water augmentation works had been sanctioned under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) during the past 18 months (2015-2016) and till June 2016.
About 46,121 structures had already been constructed. This include construction of canals, deepening of
canals, private construction of canals (dabri), construction of wells, check dams, Anicuts, canal lining, irrigation drains, soak pits and flood control structures.