GURUGRAM: PWD minister Rao Narbir Singh said on Saturday the state was facing a water supply deficit of 20.73 million acres feet (MAF) and the water table was "depleting very fast" because of a rise in number of tubewells.The minister said Haryana required nearly 33 MAF of water per year, of which 11.28 MAF was being sourced from below the ground. According to Singh, 64 of the 117 blocks in the state have been exploiting ground water and number of tube-wells has gone up to 9 lakh from 25,000 a few years ago. "Given the situation of water availability in the state, we have to stop excessive use of ground water. At the same time, we have to adopt diverse agricultural techniques and cultivate crops that require less water," Singh told a public gathering in Darbaripur, Gurgaon.He said maximum water was required in the agricultural sector and the state government should take adequate steps to educate farmers about conservation.Singh said the water table in the state had depleted from seven metres in 1980 to 17-18 metres this year."Water table levels in the state have been depleting very fast. We have to ensure we conserve ground water through several techniques, such as water harvesting and revival of water bodies, specially ponds in villages and cities," he said.The Haryana government also plans to ensure seepage is reduced in the water distribution channels, Singh said, adding that the administration would install additional sewage treatment plants across the state to recycle water for horticulture and other purposes.Haryana depends on other states for its water requirements and supply has been a concern for the state government in both rural and urban areas.

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