Raman for all steps to preserve water

     Raipur, May 13, 2010: Looking into huge shortage of water in Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh today stressed for taking all steps to preserve water.

     A massive campaign would be carried out at the state level to highlight the preservation n and conservation of water in Chhattisgarh, after discussing the matter in an emergency cabinet meeting yesterday, the Chief Minister today told a function here.

      The state would also set up a committee on the issue of conservation of water, in which Chief Minister, Ministers, secretaries and specialists would be made members, he said.

     This committee and the campaign would work from the capital city, urban areas to the remote villages, Singh said.

     The number of energized pumps has increased from 80,000 to 2.30 lakh and against the national average of one hand pump against 250 people, the state has one such pump against each 60 people, the Chief Minister said.

     Summer paddy also require 1200 litre for production of one kg of paddy, he said adding “we all are responsible for the excess exploitation of the ground water”.      The state was constructing 500 anicuts for water conservation and it had been decided to construct 20,000 ponds in various villages and construction