No using tank water for agriculture: DC

Farmers who donate water from borewells will be compensated

With the water crisis intensifying in the district, the administration has passed an order stating that water from tanks cannot be used for agricultural purposes, Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar Meena said on Saturday.

The decision has been taken to preserve tank water for drinking purposes, Meena said. Also, the district administration has decided against digging more borewells and will instead draw water from farmers’ borewells to supply in rural areas.

Farmers, who give up their borewells completely to the district administration in the months of May and June, will be paid Rs 60,000 to Rs 70,000. And those who give up their borewells on hourly basis will be paid Rs 6,000 per month, Meena said.

Drought relief

When questioned about the grants extended by the government for mitigating the drought situation, Meena said the district administration had sent a proposal for Rs five crore and the government had released Rs four crore. “The government has set no condition on the utilisation of the funds, except stating that it has to be effectively utilised. Therefore, there is no shortage of funds,” he said.

Meena added that the district also received Rs 7.5 crore under the Calamity Relief Fund.

Water through tankers

Thirty-three wards under the City Municipal Council are being supplied water through tankers. The CMC has released Rs 65 lakh for this purpose.

In reply to a question, Meena said if the district does not receive any rains by the end of May then the situation will become very serious. “We may have to get in touch with the Railways to bring water through wagons from neighbouring districts. But, we are yet to take a decision on it,” he said.