Minister of Law, Rural Development and Panchyati Raj, Abdul Haq, today asked the Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir division to submit District Convergence Plans by the end of this year. He said financial resources available through various State and Centrally sponsored schemes should be turned into durable assets. He said framework for projects should be flawless and added that State and Central Governments are monitoring the programs (of water conservation).The Minister was speaking during the inaugural function of State Level Workshop on Mission Water Conservation, a natural resource management framework under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for labour budget 2017-18.He said various Government Departments should use MG-NREGS resources in a scientific manner, considering need assessment and framework for implementation of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna and Integrated Water Management Program.Mr Haq said the deficit of rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir coupled with increasing irrigation needs and depleting ground water levels necessitates projects for water conservation. He said the State faces major challenges in surface irrigation systems as there is a growing gap between irrigation capacity created and irrigation capacity utilized.
On the occasion, the Minister was informed that 168 water bodies in the State are not put to any use with Rajouri having the highest, 68, such water bodies followed by 29 in Baramulla.
The Minister stressed on formulating annual plans based on planned and systematic development of land and harnessing of rainwater following watershed principles and quality management of natural resources.Calling on bringing uniformity in data available with Irrigation, Forests, Science and Technology, Remote Sensing, Flood Control and other Departments on water, land and other natural resources, Mr. Haq said it will help the Government in smoothly executing developmental projects in the State.He said the Rural Development Department will assist the Remote Sensing Department in training people with DC offices, who will collect data from different departments which will be used for optimal use of financial resources available with the State through various centrally sponsored schemes."All the planners will be benefitted by the GIS systems which have maps on ground water prospects, rock types, agricultural water management, medical, educational, Panchayat and social welfare facilities, etc. The Deputy Commissioners must make it a priority to get data from concerned departments," he added.He said the State has been bestowed with immense natural resources in the form of water bodies and forests. He said water must be stored and later used for irrigation purposes. The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary RDD, Kifayat Rizvi, Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir Division, Chief Conservator Forests, Director Agriculture, and officers of Remote Census, University of Kashmir, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology and other related Departments.