Paddy fields hit by delayed monsoon are not under the Minor Irrigation Departmen; these areas are under the Water Resources Department, says Irrigation Dept Chief Engineer H. Brajendra

Paddy fields hit by delayed monsoon are not under the jurisdiction of Minor Irrigation Department but under the Water Resources Department. Chief Engineer of Minor Irrigation Department H. Brajendra stated the same to Impact News in an exclusive interview today. He clarified that the Minor Irrigation Department is not the lone Department responsible for providing irrigation to agricultural lands. He said that the Minor Irrigation Department is in charge of some specific areas near the riverbanks.

The Chief Engineer also said that the Minor Irrigation Department is providing water to 25 acres of paddy fields across the state with 204 RLI Schemes. He maintained that the Department has even distributed 50 Electric Water Pump sets to give irrigation in areas under its coverage. H. Brajendra said those paddy fields facing irrigation issues fall under the Water Resource Department, where big Dams constructed by the Department are unable to supply water at present. While, the remaining paddy fields depend on the annual rainfall.

Upon being asked about any upcoming initiatives of the Minor Irrigation Department to facilitate irrigation to take away the plights facing farmers in the state, Chief Engineer H. Brajendra said that digging for underground water at 550 different sites in the state is almost completed. He added that construction of mini dams under NABARD, NEC and NESIDS as well as repair of existing dams are underway. H. Brajendra also said that the department is identifying areas where RLI schemes can be set up under its new projects.