Haryana approves 4 solar powered integrated micro irrigation projects

Chandigarh: In a major push towards sustainable agriculture and scientific water management, the State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC), under the chairmanship of Haryana chief secretary Anurag Rastogi, on Wednesday approved four community-based solar powered integrated micro irrigation projects under the Micro Irrigation and Command Area Development Authority (MICADA), Haryana.With a total investment of Rs 402.41 crore, the projects will be implemented across 61 canal outlets covering 20 blocks in Bhiwani, Jhajjar, Kurukshetra and Mahendragarh districts. Scheduled for completion between 2026-27 and 2028-29, the initiative will bring 11,040 hectares of culturable command area under advanced micro-irrigation systems and directly benefit 8,926 farmers across 94 villages.
Rastogi emphasised that integrated supply and demand management of water was essential to address climate variability and declining groundwater levels. He directed departments to ensure timely execution, strict monitoring and effective coordination so that benefits reach farmers within the stipulated time frame. He also directed officers to go into the field and share best practices with farmers.The committee reviewed and approved 16 comprehensive reform agendas pertaining to the registration of manufacturers and suppliers as per PDMC (Per Drop More Crop) Guidelines, 2025, and to strengthen transparency, accountability and farmer protection.To enhance transparency, the MICADA portal will be integrated with the GST portal for digital authentication of invoices, preventing fake or inflated billing. A component-wise bank guarantee mechanism was also approved to ensure financial accountability of vendors, and GST was included as part of the admissible subsidy as per norms, said the chief secretary.Notably, between 2022-23 and 2024-25, MICADA successfully implemented 99 NABARD-funded Micro Irrigation Fund schemes across 18 districts at a cost of Rs 563.43 crore, with auxiliary infrastructure fully completed and micro-irrigation systems installed over nearly 40% of the targeted area. The newly approved projects built upon this strong foundation reaffirm Haryana's commitment to climate-resilient, technology-driven and farmer-centric agricultural development, Rastogi added.MSID:: 128503605 413 |