BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has decided to dig 5,000 deep borewells in the drought prone areas for the proper utilisation of ground water resources for irrigation purposes. A decision to this effect was taken at a high level meeting presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Secretariat here today. The state government has earmarked Rs 100 crore for the implementation of the scheme. Borewells will be sunk on rocky soil having less irrigation facilities under the Biju Krushak Yojana (BKY). The project areas will be identified taking into account information from the national remote sensing agency and other such organisations. The borewells will be handed over to the farmers who will have individual ownership over them. Each borewel will cost Rs 2 lakh. Official sources said that beneficiaries will have to spend a maximum of Rs 20,000 for the borewell. The state government will provide 90 percent subsidy under the scheme. It was decided that cluster approach will be adopted for implementation of the scheme. At one place three to four borewells will be installed. The scheme will be implemented through the Orissa Lift Irrigation Corporation (OLIC). Each farmer can irrigate one to three hectare land with the help of the borewell. The borewells will have insurance cover. It was decided that utilisation of ground water will be increased from the present 18 percent. Building of 300 check dams will also be completed before the monsoons. Among others, agriculture production commissioner RN Senapati, principal secretary to the Chief Minister Bijay Patnaik and senior officials attended the meeting.