Srinagar, Feb 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday said that people need to change their ways of using water citing that the Valley may face water shortage not only for agriculture purposes but for household use as well.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir (SKUAST-K), the CM said winter months recorded 80 percent less snowfall and rains in Kashmir.
“There are areas in J&K that do 70 to 80 percent of agriculture work in the rain. Obviously, if there is less rain or snow, there will be a shortage of water in the summer,” he said.
Referring to his social media post, CM Omar said he already advised people to remain prepared for the coming summer. “It is possible that there will be a shortage of water not only for agriculture but also for household use. We will have to bring changes in our ways of using water,” he said.
The CM said that the government would have to take steps by way of rainwater harvesting.
“We will have to save snow and arrange irrigation for the farmers. We will do whatever we can by taking up with the agricultural and water department,” he said.
On the implementation of the NC’s manifesto, CM Omar said that it was not to be implemented in 5 days or 5 weeks. “It was for 5 years. We know what promises we have made to the people and how to fulfil them. We have said from the first day that we will do whatever we can in the UT,” he said.
The CM said he was fighting and stressing for the restoration of statehood again and again.
“I know that there are many things that people are worried about,” he said. “But the solution to that problem cannot be in UT. For that, it is very important to get the status of a state. So we will do both things together.”
On being nominated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fight against obesity, CM Omar said that everybody should try to stay healthy.
“Obesity is a lifestyle illness. Obesity can be controlled if we are careful. We should exercise and eat health. The PM has started a campaign to fight obesity. He has included me in the campaign through a post on X. I have also taken part in the campaign,” he said. The CM expressed hope that this campaign would continue.
“The more we take care of our health, the more we will be able to do our work. Our children will be able to study well. There will be less pressure on our hospitals. Our life expectancy will increase,” he said.
About the budget, CM Omar said talking about the budget would be a big mistake before it is presented in the Legislative Assembly.
“It is the duty of the government to present the budget in the Assembly first. I will not talk about the budget now,” he said.
