Puducherry, Oct 31 (PTI) Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi has said the union territory administration toes the central government's policy on irrigation and water management.

At a function at the Raj Nivas on Wednesday, Bedi handed over 'Swachhata Hi Seva' awards to officials of companies, institutions and corporate bodies that contributed for desilting of water channels in rural areas as part of corporate social responsibility to achieve "Water Rich Puducherry".

She said 24 feeder channels were desilted to ensure flow of rain water into 84 tanks, 600 ponds and major water bodies.

She said these water channels were cleared of bush and thick vegetation after nearly two decades.

She said donors made voluntary contributions directly to contributors for desilting of the channels. "The Raj Nivas is only a facilitator," she said.

PWD Minister A Namassivayam, who could not attend the event, in a message appreciated the "new initiative taken by Kiran Bedi".

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)