Lucknow: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday convened a high-level meeting to address concerns arising out of possible water shortage in the state over the next few months due to a high possibility of below-normal rainfall and a hot summer.“Carry out special monitoring in 18 districts that have traditionally been affected by drought. Also, carry out an assessment of the situation across the state between June 15 and July 30. If necessary, seek assistance from the National Disaster Response Force while control rooms should be active at district and state levels,” he said.To ensure availability of water, especially for irrigation purposes, Yogi said desilting of canals, ponds and pokharas should be completed by May 30. The soil excavated from ponds, he added, should be made available free of cost to members of the Prajapati Samaj and Kumhar artisans.In addition, special focus must be kept on the availability of drinking water, with arrangements to be made for alternative supply through tankers and piped water schemes. The CM directed the forest department to ensure water availability at wildlife and bird sanctuaries and cattle shelters.“Alternative irrigation arrangements must be strengthened, all tube wells should be kept operational, timely repairs be ensured and uninterrupted power supply be made available for irrigation,” the CM said.Discussing crop protection, Yogi said wide publicity should be done for subsidized seed distribution and agricultural advisory services.He said under the crop insurance scheme, timely assessment and claim settlement should be ensured in the event of losses.“Kisan Credit Card holders should be given timely loans. Beneficiaries of public distribution system should receive foodgrains on time, adequate storage of grains be maintained and additional allocations be obtained from Central govt as required,” Yogi said and directed officials to take strict action against hoarding and black-marketing.Govt will be making the Early Weather Warning System more effective and to ensure that weather-related information reaches the public and farmers in time, he said.Directions were also given to utilize the services of more than 19,000 trained Aapda Mitras, home guards, and civil defense volunteers as and where required.While reviewing agricultural preparedness, the CM said regular monitoring of fertilizer availability and maintenance of adequate buffer stocks should be carried out, and asked the cooperatives department to ensure fertilizer availability.Directions were issued to mandatorily implement the Farmer Registry system. The CM stressed the promotion of natural farming, saying it would reduce costs, promote soil quality and water conservation.Assessing preparations for the kharif crop, Yogi placed special emphasis on the effective operation of canal systems to ensure irrigation facilities reach the tail end of supply.“For this, strict monitoring, accountability and regular patrolling at the field level must be ensured. Where there is limited water availability, adopt scientific and balanced management of water, control unnecessary consumption at the head reach, and give priority to tail-end areas,” he added.He also directed silt cleaning and maintenance work on canals to be completed in a time-bound manner.
