Chief Secretary SK Joshi today directed officials concerned to prepare a draft in seven days for efficient rain water conservation and its ample use during Monsoon season.
On a directive from Central Water Commission, Joshi chaired a review meeting in Secretariat here briefed them on the need for rain water harvesting and preservation. Report should comprise data of qualitative results got through schemes by the departments concerned he said.
Joshi instructed the officials to compile data on the programs taken up various departments before and after Telangana formation. The report should have data pertaining to crops production, productivity, increase water in reservoirs, expansion of forest cover, groundwater, lakes situation, water retention capacity, soil moisture conservation and others. He also asked to prepare long term and short term plans for next two years on the issue.
He informed that 62 lakhs of irrigation potential was increased in major, medium and minor irrigation, stabilised 12.47lakh acres by restoring 17,860 water bodies under Mission Kakatiya. The government sanctioned 67 check dams by allotting Rs 211 cr since 2014, constructing 79 new tanks using Jaica funds and making efficient water management through several programs like Warabandi, tale to head and modernisation and encouraging drip and sprinkler irrigation in the state. Stating that 2.20 lakh hectares brought under micro irrigation the officials said that in 2018 the government also and provided facility for 1.18 lakh hectares under micro irrigation and protected significant amounts of waters used. They also explained about steps being taken through rural development using water haresting structures, MGNREGS, IWMP and others.(NSS)