Chandigarh August 13: Haryana Cabinet which met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal here today gave approval regarding transfer of the subject of “Minor Irrigation and Ground Water” from Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department to the Irrigation and Water Resources Department on the pattern of Government of India where there is a Ministry of Water Resources which is called Jal Shakti Mantralaya set up for the purpose of integrated water resource management.

The decision has been taken so as to consolidate all water related subjects with the department of Irrigation and Water Resources Department.

Transferring "Minor Irrigation Scheme" listed at serial No. 18 of Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare Department in the Haryana Government (Allocation) Rules 1974 to Irrigation and Water Resources Department has been done for bringing all the matters concerning irrigation as well as surface and sub-surface water under one Department is therefore justified for a comprehensive perspective of water sector in one department.

The available fresh water in State of Haryana is barely sufficient to meet with the drinking water needs of the State and surface water which is essentially managed by Irrigation Department and used for irrigation, can only cater to about 40 percent of the irrigation water requirement. As a result the balance of water requirement of approximately 60 percent is met out either through rainfall or ground water. It is also a fact that almost 75 per cent area of Haryana has been declared as dark zone by the Central Ground Water Board.

The depth of groundwater in Haryana is as low as 800 to 1000 feet especially in southern Haryana. Therefore for the purpose of integrated Water Resources, management of both surface water as well as groundwater ought to be with single agency and one department. Such an arrangement will enable the State to manage water resources more efficiently and effectively in an integrated manner. In view of above, the existing "Minor Irrigation Scheme" presently under the control of Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare Department would be transferred to Irrigation and Water Resources Department along with the assets, present cadre, staff and the Budget.