India, May 20 -- Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday directed officials to accord top priority to the management and upkeep of ponds across villages in the State.

He emphasised that while beautification of ponds is important, strict measures must also be taken to ensure that contaminated water does not flow into them.

While chairing a meeting of the Haryana Pond and Waste Water Management Authority, he directed officials to undertake regular cleaning of ponds developed under the Amrit Sarovar Yojana, and asserted that all works should be carried out with complete transparency while Referring to ponds and 'johads' (community-owned, traditional rainwater harvesting structures) situated within densely populated village area...