Officers from central government review ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan’ in Kaithal

KAITHAL: A central government team comprising of officials from the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment, Director, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and Union Agricultural Ministry along with a team of scientists reviewed the steps taken by the state of Himachal Pradesh to implement water conservation methods under the ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan’ at various places in Kaithal district on Monday, July 15.

Devender Singh, Economic Adviser to the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment, who was a member of the team said, “rainwater should be conserved through water harvesting methods so that the depleting underground water level improves. Everyone should work to reuse used water. Water harvesting systems should be installed in all schools to create awareness among students and also in industrial units. Saplings should be planted to make the environment green.”

He also emphasised on the implementation of drip irrigation in farming to avoid exploitation of underground water. He further said that the wastage of water should be checked and every gram panchayat should have at least 25 pits to absorb excess water.

Priyanka Soni, Deputy Commissioner, Karnal, said that an incentive of Rs 10 lakh for installation of water harvesting systems in all the government buildings in every panchayat would be given. The water retaining capacity of ponds was being increased and a target to plant four lakh saplings during the current monsoon season had been fixed, she added.

The team also visited Siwan, Manjhla Kaul and Pabnawa villages and reviewed steps taken for water conservation through water harvesting systems.