The dream envisioned by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is to ensure that the water reaches every field in the State and it is in this respect that the role of the Water Resources Department assumes a great significance. Chairing the introductory meeting of the Water Resources Department, the Water Resources Minister Mr. Barinder Kumar Goyal exhorted the officers of the department to keep the benefit of the people uppermost in their minds while drafting new policies.
Emphasizing that the conservation of the groundwater is the need of the hour, the Minister said that the usage of canal water should be taken to the maximum level. The Minister also termed it as a matter of pride that during the past 2 years, a total of 15914 water channels measuring 4200 Km in length have been restored.
Apprising the Minister, the Principal Secretary, Water Resources Krishan Kumar said that in 94 villages of the State, water has reached for the first time and in 49 villages, the water has reached after a span of 35-40 years. Besides, nearly 414 Km of abandoned canals have been restored and 100 escapes are under construction in order to save farmers during canal breach.
The Minister directed the officers to ensure the strengthening of the embankments and in this regard, the Principal Secretary brought to his notice that the repair work of the canals & water courses for 2023-24 has been done at a cost of Rs. 228 Crores under MGNREGA. The Principal Secretary further brought to the attention of the Minister that 3 canals namely – Malwa, Dasmesh and Malerkotla are proposed/under construction and furthermore, the notification has been made for the first time for Rivers/Drains/Choes/Rivulets with a view to help identify & remove illegal encroachments.
Apart from this, two new lift irrigation schemes have been implemented at a cost of Rs. 1536 crores. Also, a new canal act is being enacted to replace the 1873 Act to simplify the procedure, reduce the litigation and speeding up the projects.
An app named E-Sinchai, has also been launched with a view to enable the farmers to apply online for the cases pertaining to the department, divulged the Principal Secretary. Appreciating the department for its efforts, the Minister laid emphasis on the transparency in the implementation of the projects and said that no laxity would be tolerated in this regard.