Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 29: National Conference (NC) MLA from Sonawari, Hilal Akbar Lone, today accused Minister Javed Rana of providing incorrect information regarding irrigation schemes in his constituency.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
Lone raised the issue during Question Hour, alleging that the Minister’s written reply on irrigation and dewatering projects in Sonawari was “factually wrong.”
“The information given is incorrect. Farmers in my constituency continue to face severe water shortage. Before the sowing season, I personally visited all the schemes – most of them were defunct,” he said.
He noted that despite assurances from officials, the problems persisted, and many areas were affected due to non-availability of water.
Lone further alleged that project funds had lapsed and sought action against officials responsible.
“The former Executive Engineer lapsed Rs 9 crore. I had filed a complaint, but there has been no update. Action should be taken against him, and the amount should be recovered. His pension should also be stopped,” Lone demanded.
The NC legislator said Sonawari’s population was largely dependent on agriculture, but the existing irrigation system was outdated.
“The mechanism in place is obsolete and needs urgent upgradation. The Minister should visit Sonawari and assess the situation first-hand,” he said.
Responding to the allegations, Minister Javed Rana acknowledged the concerns raised by Lone, saying the Government had inherited a “defunct system” but was working to fix it.
“The concern is valid. We received a disrupted system where funds were allowed to lapse. There may have been a conspiracy behind this. We will review the matter, identify those responsible, and take corrective measures. I will personally visit the area,” the Minister said.
Lone had sought to know whether the Government intended to modernize or augment the old and dilapidated irrigation and dewatering schemes in Sonawari.
In a written reply, the Government said the constituency had a network of 112 canals spanning about 245 km of main canals and 90 km of distributaries, benefiting over 20,000 households across a command area of 21,416 acres.
The department stated that four schemes had already been completed under AIBP and District Capex, while 21 works were executed in the past five years under PRI, DDC, and Capex grants for strengthening irrigation infrastructure in the IFC Division Sumbal.
Additionally, eight DPRs under NABARD and Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) are under examination for modernization and augmentation of various lift irrigation and dewatering schemes in the constituency.
Among them, the “Construction of LIS Odina” project has been proposed for funding under RIDF-XXXI (NABARD).
The two-stage scheme will lift water from the Jhelum River and discharge it into Nallah Amir Khan, benefiting several villages and supporting multiple irrigation projects in the area.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
