No decrease in agri production rate due to water shortage: Soz

New Delhi, Mar 7 (UNI) Minister of Water Resources Prof Saif-Ud-Din Soz today informed the Rajya Sabha that no specific trend for decrease in the agricultural production rate has been observed during the past three years.

He said the total yield of food grains production for 2002-03, 2003-04 and 004-05 are 174.77 million tonnes, 213.46 million tonnes and 204.61 million tonnes respectively.

Regarding policy on water management, Prof Soz said that separate policy on water management has not been framed by the Ministry of Water Resources. However, the National Water Policy (2002) addresses the water management issues, particularly in respect of preservation of water resources, both, for drinking and irrigation purposes.

On the new authority for water shed programme, Prof Soz informed that the Prime Minister in his Independence Day address had announced the setting up of a National Rainfed Area Authority to focus on the problems of farmers in the dry land areas to usher in a new green revolution.

A Brain storming meeting was held on February 15, 2006 in the Planning Commission with eminent persons and Government Departments to discuss the structure, composition and functions of the National Rainfed Area Authority, he added.

Regarding Toxic substances in ground water, Prof Soz said that as per available information, ground water in major parts of the country is by and large potable. There are, however, areas which have poor quality ground water mainly due to contamination of ground water bearing rocks, excessive use of fertilizers, industrial and domestic affluents, mining wastes and saline water ingress.

The Minister made it clear ''Water'' being a State subject, it is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments to take steps to check ground water pollution. However, the Union Government has also taken various measures to mitigate the problem of ground water pollution.

On the Inter-linking of rivers, Prof Soz replied in the negative saying that the ILR Project plans to meet domestic water needs of rural and urban population in the enroute link commands/areas on priority in addition to agriculture requirements.

He denied the technological aspect of the river-linking concept was based on the knowledge of the European rivers. The river-linking concept has emanated from the ground realities of inequal distribution of water resources among various river basins in the country causing recurring floods and droughts.

UNI BBS LS KN1459