Jharkhand to be a role model in water management: CM

Ranchi, Sept. 7: A Central government delegation led by the officer on special duty (OSD) for Water Resource Development Dr Amarjit Singh met Chief Minister Raghubar Das. The team comprising the delegation members will work for the composite management of rain water.

The CM said that the topography of Jharkhand was favourable for rain water conservation. �As there is ample rain in the state, we are required to manage it properly. The government is making micro level project and implementing it,� he said.

The CM said the government was making efforts so that the farmers could grow more than one crop on their lands. The team members said that if short duration paddy crop was grown in the state, pulse crops could also be grown successfully. After paddy, the requisite moisture remains in land for growing pulses. The scanty water required for pulse crops can be supplied with rain water, the team members said.

The CM said that around 1.86 lakh dovas (small water reservoirs) have been dug in the state. The government is also considering alternative energy resources for irrigating the fields. Solar pumps can be of great help. Big wells can be dug on the places having ample underground water level. Ground can be recharged with dova water.

The CM said that the government wants to complete remaining works of Swarna Rekha project immediately. It will provide irrigation water to fields. Dr. Singh said that a MoU has been signed with NABARD to complete Swarn Rekha Project. Soon 60 per cent central share will be released. As per the provision, the state government can take help from NABARD for its 40 per cent share.

Development Commissioner Amit Khare, Principal Secretary to the CM Sanjay Kumar, Principal Secretary Sukhdeo Singh, Pramod Bihari Giri, Alok K Sikka, Silk Verma and other people were present in the meeting.