State govt mulls water supply for agri, drinking

With deficiency of rainfall in five districts, the state government has prepared an elaborate plan to ensure supply of sufficient water for agriculture and dinking.

A meeting headed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was organised in this connection at Nabanna on Monday. Ministers and top officials of departments including agriculture, power and irrigation and waterways attended the meeting. Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Director General of Police and the Commissioner were also present. 

In the past few months it has been noticed that there was 67 per cent deficiency of rainfall in five districts including Bankura, Purulia, Birbhum, Burdwan and West Midnapore. Stating that the change in weather pattern has resulted in outbreak of decrease, Naveen Prakash, principal secretary irrigation and waterways department said the Chief Minister had directed the officials of all the concerned departments to take necessary steps from now onward so that the agriculture does not get affected. 

Keeping the situation in mind, the state government took up measures from so that Rabi and Boro crop didn’t get affected. If required, reserve pumps will be used and at the same time both heavy and light duty pumps will be installed to ensure sufficient supply of water for agriculture. 

Damodar Valley Corporation had released water from its reservoir during monsoon. So, it is uncertain whether water will be released during the dry season. 

Steps have been taken to help the farmers in the western part of the state if less rainfall leads to scarcity of water supply. The existing deep tube wells will also be kept ready for use and steps to repair some of those have been taken from now onwards. 

The public health and engineering department officials have also been asked to carry out necessary works to provide sufficient drinking water. Meeting with district administrations will also be conducted in this regard soon. 

Farmers did not face any trouble during the cultivation of Kharif crop and the state government is also taking necessary measures to maintain the same for Rabi and Boro crops.