Ranchi, Mar 17 (PTI) Jharkhand minister Yogendra Prasad on Tuesday said the government has accorded approval to repair over 1.44 lakh hand pumps across the state ahead of the summer season.
Funds for the purpose has also been released, he said.
"There will be no shortage of water during the summer. The government has given approval to repair 1,44,906 hand pumps," Prasad said in the assembly, while replying to a question by JMM MLA Hemlal Murmu.
Murmu claimed that water crisis can already be seen in drought-prone areas, especially in the Santhal Pargana.
"The groundwater level is gradually receding. The hand pumps installed around five or 10 years ago are not operational in places," he said.
Prasad said the state government is working on strategies to address the issue.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi asserted that the state government is pinning the blame on the Centre for funds even for repairing hand pumps.
Responding to his remarks, Prasad said the Jharkhand government has already released funds to repair hand pumps.
Earlier, JD(U) legislator Saryu Roy raised a question over making Domchanch in Koderma district a Nagar Panchayat.
Replying to Roy, state minister Sudivya Kumar said Domchanch was notified a Nagar Panchayat following established norms.
"It is true that certain areas have fallen within the eco-sensitive zone. We will draw a comprehensive master plan and try to resolve the issues faced by the local residents," he said.
"To ensure that commercial activities in the region remain unaffected, we will engage with the forest department to identify alternative solutions," Kumar added.