Srinagar, May 14: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana and Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Javid Ahmad Dar Thursday jointly chaired a review meeting to assess the progress on desilting works of irrigation khuls and execution of Micro Irrigation projects being undertaken under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act for the financial year 2025-26.
The meeting also took stock of the proposed action plan for the financial year 2026-27 aimed at strengthening the irrigation infrastructure and improving the water availability for agriculture across the Union Territory.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti, Shaleen Kabra along with other senior officers.
The Ministers were presented a detailed overview of the physical and financial progress achieved for the works in progress, so far.
The presentation highlighted a comprehensive action plan for the Micro Irrigation Works including desilting of irrigation khuls, covering all 20 districts of the Union Territory for the Financial Year 2026-27. The plan envisages a total of 4,41,315 works across the UT, of which, 82,563 have been specifically identified for micro irrigation and 9,034 for desilting operations.
Of the desilting works, 2,384 are to be executed in convergence mode, reflecting a coordinated, inter-departmental approach to water resource management and irrigation infrastructure.
The action plan covers diverse geographical zones thereby ensuring equitable distribution of irrigation facilities across all regions.
During the meeting, it was highlighted that the action plan represents a significant push towards modernising and revitalising the irrigation infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. This will directly benefit the farming communities, particularly in remote and rain-shadow areas heavily dependent on kuhls and traditional water channels for agricultural sustenance.
A detailed presentation on the convergence plan for FY 2026-27 revealed that maintenance and desilting of khuls, nallahs and distributaries would be carried out in coordination with the Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Department. The plan envisages desilting works across the districts covering thousands of khuls and canals with substantial silt removal targets.
The presentation also highlighted that a total of 25,810 micro irrigation works were undertaken across the Union Territory under convergence mode, with an expenditure of Rs 270.52 crore incurred, so far. The meeting was further informed that the initiatives have significantly contributed towards enhancing the rural livelihoods and agricultural productivity through generation of person days.
The presentation also highlighted that improved irrigation infrastructure has enhanced the crop productivity, encouraged diversified cropping patterns and contributed towards socio-economic development in rural areas by creating sustainable employment opportunities and improving water-use efficiency.
The Ministers directed the concerned officers to expedite completion of all pending and ongoing desilting works within the stipulated timeframe. They emphasized close coordination among the concerned departments to ensure technical efficiency, sustainability and improved irrigation facilities for the farming community.
They also stressed active involvement of the allied departments in planning and execution of the works to ensure that interventions are aligned with the actual requirements of farmers and region-specific crop patterns.
Highlighting the importance of advance planning, the Ministers also directed that all necessary processes be put in place well before the onset of the irrigation season in both the divisions, so that there is no last-minute rush and farmers do not face unnecessary difficulties.
They also directed the concerned officers to assess the efficacy of all pump stations and take necessary measures for their repair or replacement, wherever required, to ensure better irrigation facilities.
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