Our Correspondents /NEW DELHI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held prolonged discussions with Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra and Karnataka over drought situation in their states.
He held separate meetings with them in which ministers and officials of concerned Ministries were present. During the discussion Prime Minister said, that the Centre and the States will have to work together to mitigate the problems faced by the people due to the drought. He also called for focusing on medium and long term solutions for drought-proofing.
Mr Modi stressed on the use of technologies like remote sensing and satellite imaging for planning of water conservation and recharge structures. He also said that there is a need to change cropping patterns based on scientific advice, use of drip and sprinkler irrigation, and fertigation for increasing water use efficiency, community participation, especially women, for better water management.
During the meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Mr Modi also discussed how best the period before the upcoming monsoon can be utilized for water conservation and recharge efforts. This includes efforts at desilting, recharging of rivers, check dams and other water storage mechanisms.
In the meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Prime Minister also stressed the need to adopt a judicious mix of traditional and modern water conservation and storage mechanisms. He also called for modern solid and liquid waste management practices in urban areas, which could yield enhanced water and organic fertilizer availability in adjoining rural areas.
Briefing media after the meeting, Mr Fadnavis said that he had discussed with the Prime Minister about short and long term measures to tackle drought situation in Maharashtra. He also informed that the Centre accepted the State’s request to submit a supplementary memorandum of additional 11000 villages which are facing drought.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr. Akhilesh Yadav said, he apprised Prime Minister of situation and put forth state’s concerns regarding situation in Bundelkhand, drought and crop damaged by hailstorm.
During the meeting with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Prime Minister discussed various measures for desilting, water conservation and recharging of ground water. Mr Modi asked the State Government to give maximum attention to desilting, farm tanks and check dams over the next 30 to 40 days before the onset of the monsoon.
Mr Siddramaiah apprised him about the steps taken by the State for waste water management. Appreciating the efforts, Mr Modi emphasized that they should be taken up in a big way to the towns and cities. The Chief Minister also presented a memorandum to the Prime Minister, on which he assured Mr Siddramaiah of providing all possible support.
Mr Modi said, there should be healthy competition among States about the efforts in water conservation and management, the way to increase Gross State Domestic Product and investment. He also asked NITI Aayog to develop an index to measure water conservation and management.
Chief Minister Davendra Fadnavis called on the Prime Minister to apprise him of the drought situation in Maharashtra and the prevailing water crisis.
Talking to media persons after the meeting, Devendra Fednavis said that 11000 more villages are facing drought in the state.Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed Centre-States efforts in dealing with drought and water scarcity situation in the state.
Chief Minister of Karnataka also called on Prime Minister later in the day and discussed the matter today.
Speaking to Media after the meeting with Prime Minster Narendra Modi, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh yadav has demanded more funds to buy tankers.
Union Agriculture Minister Radhamohan Singh was also present in the meeting. He also demanded fund to pay compensation for the drought and hailstorm affected people.