North News

Chandigarh, November 30

Punjab’s Soil and Water Conservation Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal underscored the urgent need for innovative water management strategies and farmer awareness programs to address the state’s water challenges. In his first review meeting with department officials at MGSIPA, Goyal called for a holistic and aggressive approach to water conservation. He urged officials to expedite ongoing projects and develop a strong communication strategy to ensure the success of government initiatives at the grassroots level.

Goyal reaffirmed the Punjab government’s commitment, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, to maximize the use of surface and canal water. A key focus is ensuring water reaches tail-end agricultural regions to reduce dependency on groundwater.  The Minister emphasized the importance of farmer engagement, noting the significant information gap regarding government programs. He directed the department to implement a comprehensive water conservation awareness program, using direct, personal communication methods to ensure effective dissemination of information.

The meeting, also attended by Additional Chief Secretary Anurag Verma, reviewed water availability challenges and departmental programs. Verma highlighted the underground pipeline irrigation initiative and the need for diverse funding sources.

Chief Conservator of Soils Mohinder Singh Saini presented plans to revive two key programs: irrigation through village ponds and check dam construction in the Kandi region, aimed at in-situ rainwater harvesting.