<p>With 11 states reeling under severe drought, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday made a strong pitch for conservation of water during the upcoming monsoon season.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In separate meetings with chief ministers of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, Modi asked the state governments to give maximum attention to de-silting of farm tanks and check dams, and harvesting rain water.<br /><br />Modi had a message for the sugarcane growing regions in the 3 states – adopt drip and sprinkler irrigation techniques for the crop. “Drip irrigation in sugarcane increases the quality of sugar,” Modi said.<br /><br />The meetings with the 3 chief ministers was part of the prime minister’s initiative to meet chief ministers of 11 drought-hit states before announcing long term measures for drought proofing.<br /><br />Bundelkhand region in Uttar Pradesh, Marathwada and Vidarbha regions of Maharashtra and large parts of north Karnataka are reeling under severe drought and facing acute shortage of water.<br /><br />Modi appreciated the efforts taken by the Karnataka government in waste water management in cities and wanted it to be replicated in a big way in towns as well.<br /><br />Chief Minister Siddaramaiah submitted a memorandum for central assistance to the tune of Rs 12,272 crore for construction of check dams, rejuvenation of tanks, completion of water supply schemes and micro irrigation projects.<br /><br />“I am happy that the prime minister called such a meeting for the first time,” Siddaramaiah told reporters here.<br /><br />Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis said the prime minister’s thrust was on short-term plans for the next 6 weeks to carry out pre-monsoon works and benefit from the good monsoon that has been forecast by the weather office.<br /><br />He said Maharashtra would also submit a supplementary memorandum to the Centre seeking aid for 11,000 more villages that have become drought-hit after the state had received assistance to tackle the situation.<br /><br />The prime minister also wanted the states to draw out long-term plans to ensure moisture security for farmers and reduce their dependence on monsoon.<br /><br />Uttar Pradesh has sought Rs 11,000 crore while Maharashtra has demanded Rs 9,500 crore as immediate central assistance to tackle the drought situation in the their respective states.</p>
<p>With 11 states reeling under severe drought, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday made a strong pitch for conservation of water during the upcoming monsoon season.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In separate meetings with chief ministers of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, Modi asked the state governments to give maximum attention to de-silting of farm tanks and check dams, and harvesting rain water.<br /><br />Modi had a message for the sugarcane growing regions in the 3 states – adopt drip and sprinkler irrigation techniques for the crop. “Drip irrigation in sugarcane increases the quality of sugar,” Modi said.<br /><br />The meetings with the 3 chief ministers was part of the prime minister’s initiative to meet chief ministers of 11 drought-hit states before announcing long term measures for drought proofing.<br /><br />Bundelkhand region in Uttar Pradesh, Marathwada and Vidarbha regions of Maharashtra and large parts of north Karnataka are reeling under severe drought and facing acute shortage of water.<br /><br />Modi appreciated the efforts taken by the Karnataka government in waste water management in cities and wanted it to be replicated in a big way in towns as well.<br /><br />Chief Minister Siddaramaiah submitted a memorandum for central assistance to the tune of Rs 12,272 crore for construction of check dams, rejuvenation of tanks, completion of water supply schemes and micro irrigation projects.<br /><br />“I am happy that the prime minister called such a meeting for the first time,” Siddaramaiah told reporters here.<br /><br />Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis said the prime minister’s thrust was on short-term plans for the next 6 weeks to carry out pre-monsoon works and benefit from the good monsoon that has been forecast by the weather office.<br /><br />He said Maharashtra would also submit a supplementary memorandum to the Centre seeking aid for 11,000 more villages that have become drought-hit after the state had received assistance to tackle the situation.<br /><br />The prime minister also wanted the states to draw out long-term plans to ensure moisture security for farmers and reduce their dependence on monsoon.<br /><br />Uttar Pradesh has sought Rs 11,000 crore while Maharashtra has demanded Rs 9,500 crore as immediate central assistance to tackle the drought situation in the their respective states.</p>
