Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary . Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui
By A Correspondent
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister (CM) Samrat Choudhary on Monday chaired a review meeting of the Minor Water Resources Department at the ‘Sankalp Sabhagar’ in the Lok Sevak Awas. During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed officials to prepare a comprehensive groundwater policy at the earliest to ensure the conservation, management and sustainable use of groundwater resources in the state. He emphasised the need for strong coordination among all concerned departments and called for the development of an effective institutional framework for groundwater management.
The department’s Secretary, B Kartikeya Dhanji, made a detailed presentation outlining various schemes and proposed policy initiatives.
Highlighting the growing demand for water and future challenges, Samrat Choudhary instructed that the process of introducing the Bihar Groundwater (Management and Regulation) Act, 2026 be expedited on a priority basis. He noted that the legislation would help regulate the unchecked extraction of groundwater and ensure its balanced use.
Choudhary further said that the department’s primary objective should not be limited to the construction of new projects, but must also include proper maintenance and efficient management of existing structures and assets. He urged officials to develop a work culture that promotes rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and water conservation activities on a large scale.
He also stressed the adoption of scientific and technical measures to improve groundwater levels, adding that safeguarding the state’s water resources and ensuring water availability for future generations remains one of the government’s top priorities.
The meeting was attended by Minor Water Resources Minister Santosh Kumar Suman, Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit, Development Commissioner Mihir Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Deepak Kumar, and other senior officials.
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