The Centre has decided to declare 2007 'Water Year' to focus on water-related issues and launch a massive awareness programme in the country.
Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz said the Cabinet has cleared the Ministry's proposal last week. "Food security and growth in agriculture are linked to irrigation and development of water resources and the 11th Plan would prioritise this." Centre had identified 31 districts in four States that needed focused attention in Irrigation to prevent farmers from committing suicides.
During the Water Year, the Ministry would hold a national water congress on ground water, a farmers participatory action research programme in 5,000 villages to promote 'more crop and income per drop' of Water, training of water masters in each pani panchayat and institution of an award for the best pani panchayat.
(The Hindu,10th January,2007)
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