Govt allows 4,800 wells in Pench command area

Nagpur: The state government has come to the aid of farmers who used to get irrigation water from Totladoh dam. It has allowed 4,800 wells in command area of the reservoir in Nagpur and Bhandara districts. Ever since Chaurai dam has been built on Pench river, Totladoh dam only gets half filled and farmers don’t get water as it is supplied to Nagpur city for drinking and to Khaparkheda and Koradi power plants.
Addressing a press conference, guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said that till now wells were not allowed in the command area. “However, with farmers facing water shortage for both kharif and rabi crops, we have changed the norms. Each farmer will get Rs2.5 lakh for digging a well. He will have to invest Rs50,000 from his own pocket,” he added.

The minister further said that 4,000 wells would be dug in Pench command area in Nagpur district and 800 in Bhandara district. “Other than this, 500 more wells would be dug in other parts of Nagpur district. Overall, the government has sanctioned 13,000 wells in east Vidarbha. Our first priority is farmers having land holding less than 5 acre,” he added.

According to the minister, the government has also sanctioned Rs1,200 crore for constructing four lift irrigation schemes (LISs) in command area of Pench. “One of them will be built on Nag river. We want to ensure that water does not flow into Gosikhurd from Kanhan river and all of it is used by farmers,” he said. Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) would pump water into Pench canal instead of Kanhan river, he added.

Turning to disbursement of Rs6,000 to farmers as announced by central government in the budget, Bawankule said that the final list had to be prepared by February 26. “We have prepared a time table for the revenue officials. It has to be strictly adhered to. The data of many farmers was collected by us for the loan waiver and drought relief schemes. We will be repeat the exercise for these farmers,” said the minister.

On disconnection of power supply to 322 zilla parishad (ZP) schools in the district, the minister said that they would be reconnected within three days provided the education department submits an undertaking that bills would be paid by March 31.