Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal on Thursday said that to provide adequate water for drinking and irrigation purposes in southern Haryana, especially in Loharu and Bahal areas of district Bhiwani, where water table is depleting, projects costing Rs 143 crore have been started with the assistance of NABARD. Addressing a ‘Vikas Yatra Rally’ at Bahal in Bhiwani, he said these projects would strengthen the lift irrigation system of canals and minors in the area. He said that there is also a plan to spend Rs 133 crore for ensuring irrigation water upto every tail end. Under a plan to ensure irrigation water to every field, he said that Rs 600 crore would be spent during this year. The Chief Minister also announced projects costing Rs 166 crore for development of Loharu assembly constituency. He announced to fulfill the 148 demands of the area put forth by the organizers of the rally. Giving example of Israel, which has been carrying out cultivation with the use of less water, the Chief Minister said that availability of water would be ensured in areas like Loharu by promoting methods like drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation. On the occasion, he paid tributes to founder of BJP, Deendayal Upadhyaya and said that February 11 is his martyrdom day. He also paid homage to those soldiers who had lost their lives in Siachen glacier recently.