CHANDIGARH August 5: Punjab will soon set up a new body ‘directorate of groundwater management’ under the irrigation wing of the department of irrigation and power, for conservation, utilization and management of the depleting groundwater resources in the state.
The existing water resources administration of the irrigation department will be subsumed into the new directorate. Due to limited allocation to the state in the river waters, about 73% of irrigation requirements are met by groundwater, which is depleting rapidly.
Punjab cabinet decided to enact the ‘Punjab State Farmers Commission Act 2017’ to empower and safeguard the interests of farming community, besides setting up ‘Punjab State Council for Agricultural Education’ to promote agricultural education in the state.
It would aim at promoting and coordinating agricultural education in various colleges and institutes in the state. For granting legal rights to farmers, the cabinet gave the nod for enactment of ‘Punjab State Farmers and Farm Labourers Commission Act 2017’ through an ordinance.
In another initiative aimed at tackling the problem of stubble burning across the state, the council of ministers gave its nod to the creation of a ‘Climate Challenge Fund’. The fund will help the state in creating awareness amongst the farmers about the harmful effects of crop residue burning. The cabinet also agreed in principle to create a fund of Rs 1 crore for giving incentives to those farmers adopting mechanical solutions to deal with crop residues.
News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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