Irrigation infrastructure gets top priority in current MGNREGA Plan in Pulwama: Authorities
All major irrigation channels included for desilting and cleanliness: DC Pulwama
Pulwama: In a significant push towards strengthening rural agricultural infrastructure, the administration in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district has announced that all major irrigation channels have been incorporated in the current financial year’s Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) plan.
The decision aims to ensure timely maintenance, desilting, and cleanliness of irrigation canals, which are vital for sustaining the agrarian economy, particularly in water-dependent rural areas.
Officials confirmed that the plan prioritizes irrigation-related works to support efficient water management during the upcoming agricultural season.
“Irrigation infrastructure has been given utmost priority while formulating the MGNREGA plan for the current financial year,” a senior official from the Rural Development Department said.
To expedite the execution of works, each Block Development Officer (BDO) has been instructed to coordinate closely with the concerned Executive Engineers (Xens) of the Irrigation Department.
The directive mandates immediate initiation of irrigation-related activities, including cleaning, desilting, and minor repairs, under the employment guarantee scheme.
This coordinated approach is expected to not only rejuvenate defunct or silted irrigation channels but also generate substantial employment for rural workers under MGNREGA, fulfilling the twin objectives of infrastructure development and livelihood support.
The focus on irrigation is in line with the broader goal of enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring better preparedness to tackle water scarcity, especially during crucial sowing seasons. Local Panchayati Raj Institutions and village-level functionaries are also being mobilized to identify priority areas and monitor implementation.
Officials emphasized that timely completion of these works would significantly reduce water wastage, improve supply to fields, and benefit thousands of farming families.
The administration is also exploring the possibility of geo-tagging and real-time monitoring of ongoing works for greater transparency and accountability.
Farmers and local stakeholders have welcomed the move, expressing hope that this year’s focused irrigation plan under MGNREGA will alleviate long-standing issues related to water supply in their fields and boost overall agricultural output.
Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Dr Basharat Qayoom said that all major irrigation channels have been incorporated in this year’s MGNREGA plan for cleanliness/ desilting/ etc.
He said that each BDO has been directed to immediately take up irrigation related works on priority in coordination with concerned executive engineers
He added that irrigation infrastructure has been given utmost priority while plan formulation for current financial year.
