Bhubaneswar, Jan 5 (Reporter) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday directed the officials to complete all irrigation projects on war-footing. Addressing a state-level function on the concluding day of the fortnight-long celebration of Pani Panchayat at the Bermuda Sports Ground in Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister said due to the research of scientists and hard work of the farmers, today the state can feed 140 crore people and export food grains to foreign countries. For this, water supply to agricultural land is very necessary. Therefore, instructions have been given to complete all irrigation projects on a war footing. The Chief Minister directed officials to conduct elections and audits of papers as per the rules of Panchayats. The Chief Minister also suggested strengthening the Panchayats and developing them as agricultural marketing centers. The Chief Minister said a decision has been taken to construct 2400 KM long new field channels and to concretise 1860 KM long old dilapidated channels by 2028-29 to bring 1,42000 hectares of cropland under irrigation. The Chief Minister said that our priority is to supply adequate supply of water and to maintain equity in the distribution of water to crop land. Stating that Water Panchayats have a big role to play in this regard, he said currently, more than 39,000 water panchayats are taking the lead in water management in the state. The Chief Minister said more than Rs 13,223 crore has been provided in this year's budget for the development of water resources in the state. In the current budget, the process of starting the Bartang Irrigation Project in Nayagarh district, the Pipalpak Project in Ganjam district, the Upper Lanth Irrigation Project in Balangir district, the Samakoi Barrage Project in Angul district,and some other projects in Bargarh, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Balangir, Bargarh, and Nuapada districts and 11,886 deep tube well projects have been expedited. He further said that to bring about a paradigm shift in agriculture, the government has taken steps for extensive use of technology in the field of water management. The Indian Institute of Water Management and Xavier University have been approached for the development of soil moisture measurement systems and skill development of Pani Panchayats respectively. He said both the central and state governments are implementing many schemes for the welfare of farmers. This year, Rs 33,919 crore has been provided in the state agriculture budget for the development of agriculture. Declaring the unseasonal rains as a disaster, the state government has decided to provide more than Rs 291 crore in assistance to the affected farmers. 6.66 lakh farmers will get this assistance, he said. Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said that the Odisha government is with the farmers and is making adequate arrangements for their growth. Arrangements are also being made to provide market linkages for the farmers' production. Development Commissioner Anu Garg said since many women are now taking the lead in pani panchayats and doing very good work, the focus of the government now is to include as many women as possible in Pani panchayats. The Chief Minister released a coffee table book titled Irrigation Partnership 3.0. A short film on irrigation partnership was screened on the occasion...////...