Haryana CM stresses water conservation, crop diversification

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday said the State was making policies to save water and had sought farmers' suggestions and feedbacks.

Expressing concern over falling groundwater level, he said while interacting with farmers in Kurukshetra town that it had reached below 40 metres in many blocks.

The Chief Minister said to save water "Mera Pani, Meri Virasat Yojanaa" had been launched. Pipli, Shahabad, Babain and Ismailabad blocks of the Kurukshetra district had been included in the scheme as the groundwater level in these blocks had gone below 40 metres.

Ratia block of the Fatehabad district, Siwan and Guhla of the Kaithal district and Sirsa block of the Sirsa district have also been included in this scheme.

Terming the situation in those blocks worrisome, he said farmers were being motivated to save water by going for crop diversification. A grant of Rs 7,000 per acre would be given for sowing maize, he added.

Khattar said that the Government had started ‘Jal Hi Jeevan Yojana’ last year to save water, but this year, by improving the scheme we have launched Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana" under crop diversification.

The Chief Minister said, “There was a lot of discussion on this scheme before chalking out this plan. We have done broad consultation with farmers, scientists, legislators and other people associated with the government and other organisations. This scheme will benefit future generations.”

He also said that small farmers having one to two acres of land will also get some concessions in this scheme. The objective of this scheme is to save water, improve the ground water level.

Everyone needs to think about this serious subject. The State government will implement good suggestions of all the people to save every drop of water.

In addition to this, suggestions made by the farmers will also be implemented so that they can get all kinds of benefits and save the water, Khattar added.