Plan to align all irrigation programmes

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government is contemplating to align all programmes under the Water Resources Department for increasing irrigation potential and availability of adequate water for farming purposes.Besides, a proposal to strengthen institutional framework for providing multidisciplinary support to pani panchayats is also under active consideration of the Government.The farmers would be made aware of the efficient use of water from irrigation projects through promotion of intercropping and diversified agriculture.For the purpose, both Agriculture and Water Resources departments would provide synchronised ground level support to farmers.Both the departments have been asked to plan for multi-crop model and set up village level institutional framework accordingly.Official sources said the Water Resources Department has been asked to make scientific assessment of the present use of water, its contribution to productivity, its value and then set definite target to scale it up in the next three years.The infrastructural and institutional arrangements should be planned for achievement of that target.The State Government’s thrust would be on participatory irrigation system, Odisha community tank management project and pani panchayat support unit.So far, 2,410 pani panchayats in major and medium irrgation projects, 1,883 pani panchayats in minor irrigation and 15,022 have been formed in lift irrigation circles and operated.In addition, 117 distributary committees and 43 project committees have been formed to facilitate the water distribution to pani panchayats.The members of pani panchayats have also been provided training through WALMI and MGNREGS support has been provided to them for canal works.In and outside exposure visits have been organised and best performing pani panchayats have been given financial incentive for construction of office building.Official sources said Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik has advised the Water Resources Department to promote farm mechanisation through pani panchayat development teams (PPDT) by engaging one expert from this field.