Punjab Cabinet okays restructuring of water resources dept. for more efficient management
Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday approved the restructuring of the Water Resources Department. It also gave a nod to fill up 70 posts in the Punjab Water Regulation and Development Authority (PWRDA) on contract/deputation basis.
The restructuring of the department will involve cutting down of sanctioned strength of 24,263 employees to 15,606. Incidentally, only 17,499 of the sanctioned posts are filled up at present. The entire restructuring plan would result in saving Rs.71 crore per annum, said an official spokesperson.
Notably, the Water Resources Department (formerly Irrigation Department) was set up way back in 1849. Over time, the scope and nature of work carried out by the Department have expanded from the construction of Dams, Canals and Drains to cover Operation, Maintenance, Management and Improvement of its existing assets and focus on micro-irrigation and conservation of water, especially groundwater.
The cabinet also felt the need for the introduction of technology-oriented skills in the department in the present dynamic environment. Further, change in water resources management, including its regulation, has also necessitated restructuring and reorientation of the department.
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To efficiently utilize official machinery, the Department of Mines and Geology has already been merged with Water Resources Department as both these departments have largely the same geographical jurisdiction i.e. rivers and dams.
-PTC News
