Bihar government made a big announcement: Funds released for opening tube wells of Panchayats!

Patna. Bihar government has taken an important step towards providing better irrigation facilities to the farmers. An amount of Rs 75.23 lakh has been released to restart closed government tube wells in various panchayats of the state. This amount has been given to those panchayats where tube wells have been lying inactive for a long time.

2477 tube wells will get a lease of life

At present 3304 government tube wells are not in working condition in the state. With the amount released, 2477 tube wells will be made operational. The government will later provide additional funds to activate the remaining tube wells. This initiative is expected to provide relief to thousands of farmers, especially in areas where tube wells are the main source of irrigation.

Responsibility assigned to Panchayats

Government tube wells come under the jurisdiction of Minor Water Resources Department. However, the responsibility of their management, operation and maintenance has been given to the local Panchayats. The amount required for repairs and maintenance is also made available directly to the Panchayats. At present there is no plan from the government to appoint a separate operator for the operation of tube wells. Panchayats will ensure the arrangements for their operation at the local level.

Decreasing numbers become a matter of concern

At one time there used to be 10,240 government tube wells in Bihar. Over time many of these closed down due to technical failure and neglect. At present only 8,922 tube wells are left in the state. Till a few years ago, more than 5,340 of these tube wells were stalled due to mechanical and electrical faults. In the last years, many tube wells were repaired and made operational again by the Panchayats. Now, with the new initiative of the government, the process of activating the remaining tube wells is likely to be expedited.

Farmers will get direct benefits

With the commissioning of tube wells, the cost of farming will reduce and the productivity of crops will increase. Dependence on rainfall will reduce and regular irrigation arrangements will be ensured. This step can prove important in the direction of ‘water to every field’. This initiative of the state government is expected to strengthen the rural economy. If the remaining tube wells also become active in the coming time, the irrigation system in Bihar may get a new impetus.