Heat wave & dry spell : Javed Rana, Javid Dar review irrigation scenario in J&K

Srinagar, July 2: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology and Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana and Minister for Agriculture Production Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, Wednesday took a comprehensive review of the irrigation scenario in Jammu and Kashmir in a meeting held at Civil Secretariat here.As per an official statement issued here, the meeting was called in view of the irrigation problems being faced by the farming community besides assessing the response mechanism adopted by the department to ensure farmers are provided a reliable irrigation supply. Legislators Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Hasnain Masoodi, Irshad Rasool Kar, Hilal Akbar Lone and Irfan Hafiz Lone also attended the meeting and shared their concerns with respect to irrigation supply in their constituencies.Detailed discussion was held on the working of lift and gravity irrigation schemes, NABARD/CAPEX/CSS projects and efficient water management for agricultural prosperity. Javed Rana directed for effective measures to tackle the irrigation issues, especially putting an efficient response mechanism in place to address the complaints of farmers. “There is no doubt that we are facing a critical situation due to adverse climatic conditions and there are shortcomings also but we have to find solutions,” he said. “It is our collective responsibility to find solutions to the problems faced by our farming community amid the paddy farming.”  He called for taking both short and long-term measures to augment the supply of irrigation water as per the requirements on the ground. He also asked for an assessment of both the machinery and infrastructure given the present climatic conditions. Superintending Engineers were instructed to submit a comprehensive report outlining the potential measures for upgrading and strengthening the existing resources in their respective areas. During the meeting, Rana also emphasised timely project completion, regular monitoring of public services and expedited project execution for enhanced agricultural support. The meeting cantered on discussions about restoring previously existing canals that have been encroached upon, with a focus on their revival. Rana called upon the concerned to report encroachments and illegal mining that is creating a threat to the irrigation system so that appropriate action will be taken.Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Jal Shakti, Shaleen Kabra, gave a detailed presentation on the present irrigation infrastructure. He briefed about the functioning of Lift and Gravity irrigation schemes of the department being executed in the entire UT, status of NABARD schemes being implemented under various RIDFs and Capex Budget schemes under Capex Budget 2025–26. Shaleen Kabra also briefed about the new schemes to be proposed under PMKSY-HKKP and status of execution of the schemes under PMKSY-HKKP. He also gave details about the schemes affected due to low precipitation. The Additional Chief Secretary highlighted that the average gauge readings in rivers have significantly decreased, adversely impacting numerous irrigation schemes across Jammu and Kashmir.