New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan drew encomiums at inaugural function of 4th India Water Week programme in Delhi today. In their addresses, Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley lauded the state for water conservation and unprecedented increase in irrigation facilities. Bharti said that Madhya Pradesh has made remarkable progress in agriculture sector over the years. State’s continuous over 20 per cent agriculture growth rate is a source of inspiration not only for Indian states. She said that soon Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh will transform Bundelkhand region through Ken-Betwa river link project. Bharti said that Shivraj Singh Chouhan has emerged as an efficient Chief Minister.
Jaitley said that investment in irrigation sector gives results faster than other development sectors. He described Madhya Pradesh as its best example which has been successful in maintaining agriculture growth rate of 22 percent despite weak monsoon and hailstorms for the last 2 years. He said that it has become possible since Chief Minister Chouhan has worked keeping significance of adequate investment in irrigation sector in view. Jaitley described Madhya Pradesh’s increase in irrigation capacity a precedent for other states and neighbouring countries.
Earlier, Chief Minister Chouhan said that waster conservation is being given shape of mass movement in the state. Attention has been paid to complete irrigation projects. Work has been done to reach water to tail ends of canals. He said that it is a major achievement to obtain Krishi Karman Award for consecutive 4 years. He hoped that the state would get Krishi Karman Award for the fifth time due to hard works of state’s farmers, state government’s efforts to increase irrigation potential and making agriculture profitable.
It is noteworthy that Union Water Resources Ministry has been holding India Water Week since 2012. This year, theme of the Week is ‘Water for All: Striving Together’. Various issues were discussed at the programme held in collaboration of Union Agriculture, Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Rural Development, Urban Development, Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation, Energy and other ministries and NITI Ayog. The issues discussed mainly pertained to agriculture & irrigation, energy generation, industrial production & demand management, rural and urban drinking water supply, recycling & quality of water etc.
