CM steps up efforts to tackle water scarcity
Staff Reporter, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has issued instructions to officials to launch a drive for holding flowing rain water from September 15.
He has instructed to make action plan for farmers’ income not getting reduced due to rain deficit, observe Swachhata fortnight and get prepared for rabi crop considering rain shortfall.
Chouhan asked the district in-charge ministers to assess availability of water for irrigation with public representatives and administrative officers between September 15 and 20.
Chouhan was reviewing contingency action plan to deal with situation arising from deficient rainfall after the Cabinet meeting.
Presentations were made by Agriculture, Water Resources, Public Health Engineering, Animal Husbandry, Co-operatives and Urban Administration Departments regarding preparation for tackling short rainfall.
Chouhan directed the Agriculture Department’s officials that it should be ensured that contingency plan prepared for rain shortfall is informed to farmers effectively.
Information regarding availability of water for irrigation, minor, semi-irrigated crops and availability of their seeds, should be communicated to farmers.
The Chief Minister asked officers of Water Resources Department that they should inform farmers in advance about availability of water in reservoirs.
Chief Minister asked Public Health Engineering Department that draft of the action plan for period up to July 2018 should be put in the next Cabinet meeting in co-ordination with Panchayat and Rural Development Department.
Chief Minister asked Animal Husbandry Department to launch awareness drive for storing fodder of paddy, maze and soyabean crops.Chouhan reviewed preparations for Swachhata Fortnight to be observed between September 15 and October 2.