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Focus on better water supply to farmers

By Our Special Correspondent

JAIPUR, JAN. 3. The Rajasthan Government has expressed its resolve to speed up the implementation of the ambitious water sector restructuring project funded by the World Bank to ensure optimum utilisation of the available water resources. The Panchayati Raj institutions will also be associated with the works under the project across the State.

The State Chief Secretary, R.K. Nair, said at a review meeting on the project here on Saturday that a proposal to make a separate allocation for its speedy execution in the Budget for the next financial year was under consideration. He said the availability of more funds would facilitate the supply of water to the farmers living at the tail-end of various canals.

The issues of expediting the restructuring of water resources and strengthening canal systems were discussed with the World Bank's Sector Director for agriculture and rural development, Constance Bernard, in the meeting. Ms. Bernard said she had visited Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner districts during the past week to observe various works at canals.

While Ms. Bernard called for formulating a "multi-dimensional strategy" and ensuring better management of water resources to tackle the problem of scarcity of water in Rajasthan, Mr. Nair underlined the significance of improving coordination between the water utilisation committees and panchayat bodies.

The Principal Secretary, Water Resources, D.C. Samant, said an expert committee appointed to suggest measures for accelerating the restructuring project would submit its final report within the next two to three months. He pointed out that the State Government had taken steps to encourage community participation in the project's works. The Irrigation Secretary, S.N. Thanvi, said Rs. 76 crores of the Rs. 120 crores allocated for the project's implementation this year had been spent. The water utilisation committees will carry out the works involving the supply of up to 10 cusecs of water and look after the maintenance of canals to generate additional irrigation capacity.

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