Chandigarh, June 15: Concerned about water conservation for future generation, Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal gave the concept of ‘Mera Pani-Meri Virasat’ scheme which garnered appreciation at different forums. Under the scheme, the Chief Minister aimed to motivate the farmers to switch to other alternative crops in paddy-dominated districts and interacted with the farmers of all the 10 paddy-dominated districts of the state.
Consequently, the farmers on 1.5 lakh acres of land adopted other crops instead of paddy and for this, they are being given financial assistance at the rate of Rs 7,000 per acre. In the year 2023-24, a target has been set of bringing 2 lakh acres of area under other crops in place of paddy. Apart from this, now the farmers are also moving towards direct-seeded rice (DSR), which will save water.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister recently launched the Biennial Integrated Water Resources Action Plan (2023-25). The total water availability in the state is 20,93,598 crore litres, while the total water demand is 34,96,276 crore litres, leaving a water gap of 14 lakh crore litres. This action plan aims to bridge this gap for the next two years.
Also, a two-day ‘Water Conclave’ was organized recently in Panchkula in the direction of water conservation, in which administrative secretaries and experts working on water conservation from India and abroad participated. The main objective of the conclave was to discuss an integrated water resource management strategy and approach in the wake of depleting groundwater levels.
Based on their inputs, the Biennial Integrated Water Resources Action Plan (2023-25) was formulated. Three committees have been constituted for the implementation of the scheme. The Chief Minister is the chairman of the first state-level committee, while the second committee will be headed by the Chief Secretary and the third district-level committee by the concerned Deputy Commissioner.
Initiative to complete project of Kishau, Lakhwar and Renuka dams
The Chief Minister has taken the initiative to complete the projects of Kishau, Lakhwar and Renuka dams for water conservation which have been pending for many years. For this, on the request made by Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal to the Central Government, the Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan came on one platform and signed mutual agreements. Kishau was declared a multipurpose (national) project. As the Finance Minister, Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal has made a provision of Rs 6,598 crore in the budget for the irrigation and water resources sector.
Awaiting Apex Court's next decision on SYL, considering to bring water through Himachal Pradesh
The Chief Minister says that the Supreme Court has given a decision on the SYL in the favour of Haryana and hopes that this issue gets resolved soon. For this, the decision of the Supreme Court is awaited. However, an alternative proposal to bring it through Himachal is being under consideration.
The blueprint of the plan has been sent to Himachal Pradesh. The irrigation department (including MICADA), Public Health Engineering Department, Panchayat Department, Pond Authority, Public Works Department, Urban Local Bodies, Forest, Education and other departments will also cooperate in water resources works, in a bid to make the ‘Save Water’ campaign successful.