Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday asked the district Collectors to listen to the public grievances and take steps to fulfil their demands. Patnaik talked to the districts Collectors through video conferencing and issued necessary instructions from the State Secretariat.

During the video conferencing, Patnaik informed the Collectors about the Government's decision to observe 2008 as Irrigation Year. Steps should be taken provide water to the cultivable lands, he said.

Patnaik also asked the Collectors to put stress on digging of at least one pond in each revenue village of the State. If the officials find it difficult to dig a pond in a hilly area, steps should be taken to provide water through other means, he said. He also asked the officials to use the service of poor people for the restoration of old ponds and expedite water supply schemes in KBK areas.