Meet Hayer also stressed on maximizing the use of canal water

CHANDIGARH: In view of the declining ground water level of the state, Land and Water Conservation Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer emphasized the commitment of the state government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to the farmers of the state and to protect the precious water resources. It asked for more intensive program formulation and running water conservation and management.

Meet Hayer also stressed on maximizing the use of canal water and treated water for agricultural irrigation and extending the underground pipeline program to every corner of the state. He invited the department to start a people's movement for water management and conservation in the state by creating awareness at the ground level. Meet Hayer gave these instructions during the meeting held at Punjab Bhavan Chandigarh to review the work of the Department of Land and Water Conservation.

Reviewing the department's watershed scheme, the Land and Water Conservation Minister emphasized on giving maximum benefits to the landless farmers and women by providing financial assistance by forming self-help groups in the project areas. He also emphasized on expediting the construction of reservoirs and check dams for rainwater harvesting in the monsoon season.

The officials of the department gave a presentation to the minister and said that the main objective of the department's work is to increase the efficiency of irrigation water use and to develop alternative sources of irrigation water as more than 90 percent of the water resources of the state are used in the agricultural sector alone. The major works of the department include underground pipeline systems, use of treated water in agriculture, drip and fountain systems, rainwater harvesting, watershed based programs among others.