Puducherry Puducherry Lieutenant Governor K Kailashnathan said that a huge scheme involves investment $Rs 500 crore has been earmarked for strengthening irrigation canals in Karaikal, a component of the union territory located at the end of the Cauvery river basin.
Addressing the farmers and farm workers after handing over the benefits of various schemes to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in neighboring Aryur on Thursday evening, the Governor said, “Karikal district was getting seven million tonnes of water in the Cauvery river system. But the irrigation canals that were laid several decades ago were not properly maintained and hence the Cauvery water was not being used effectively in the district.”
He said that the government is now preparing a huge plan that includes $Rs 500 crore to strengthen canals so that farmers can draw river water for agricultural operations.
Meanwhile, during his recent visit to Karaikal to participate in the annual meeting of the National Institute of Technology, he requested the institute under its CSR program to undertake improvement of irrigation canals in Karaikal and desalinated water bodies there so that farmers can continue with agricultural operations, Kailashanthan said.
“Renewing the canals would help recharge groundwater,” the governor said.
“The government, for its part, is also taking steps to prepare $500 crore mega project to renew and develop irrigation canals. These canals, which were constructed several decades ago, were in an almost dilapidated condition, said Kelashanthan.
Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister N Rangasamy handed over electric tillers, tractors and other farm equipment to farmers and benefits of welfare schemes to farm workers on the occasion.
Speaker R Selvam, Agriculture Minister Theni C Jeyakumar, legislators, leaders of farmers’ associations and officials of the agriculture ministry were among those present.
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