Chandigarh, March 22 - Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that to address the issue of the water crisis in the state and to ensure optimum utilization of available water, the government has decided to give preference to farmers adopting micro-irrigation while issuing tube well connections.

It is not possible to provide open tubewell connections to all, as water levels in most areas are constantly depleting, said Sh. Manohar Lal while speaking during the Question Hour in the Budget session of the State  Vidhan Sabha today.

He further said that out of the total tubewell connections applied in the year 2018, 4412 connections are pending, these connections will soon be given. In the year 2023-24, demand notes will be issued to all such applicants who are fulfilling the criteria to get tubewell connections.

The Chief Minister clarified that it is not feasible to bring the process of providing tubewell connections under the Right to Services Act as three factors namely natural, availability of water, and budgetary allocation are considered while issuing tubewell connections.

He further shared that it is not possible to provide tubewell connections in areas where the water levels are constantly depleting. Connections will be given only to the farmers who adopt micro irrigation. Connections above 50 HP will not be given, only  Solar connections will be given for up to 10 HP, said Sh. Manohar Lal.

The Chief Minister said that a subsidy of Rs 1 lakh is given by the government on one tube well connection.  At present, 6 lakh tube wells are running uninterruptedly in the state and the government is giving subsidy of about Rs 6,000 crore to the farmers, said Sh. Manohar Lal.