Excelsior Correspondent
AKHNOOR, June 15: Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma today laid foundation stone of Lift Irrigation Scheme (check dam) at Gangal in Akhnoor.
The proposed Lift Irrigation Scheme will be developed over local nallah at an estimated cost of Rs. 113 lakh.
Chief Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control, H. C. Jeerath, Chief Engineer, PHE, Sushil Aima, Superintending Engineer (Hydraulic), Jammu, Rajiv Malhotra, Tehsildar Akhnoor Vijay Sharma, and sectoral officers of various departments besides Sarpanchs and Panchs also accompanied the Minister.
Addressing large gathering of people at Akhnoor, the Minister said that agriculture sector is priority area of the Government and efforts are afoot to create irrigation facilities in the potential areas, especially in the hilly and dry belt. He said that this vital project would be completed before ending August and stressed upon the engineers to work with zeal for the timely completion of this project.
He said Government has formulated a comprehensive programme to tap the irrigational potential by developing check dams and lift irrigation schemes, adding that these measures will help in improving the socio-economic profile of the people living in the water scarced kandi belt.
He said that main thrust of Government is to upgrade the essential sectors including, road connectivity, drinking water, education, health, electricity and other social services, which are key to the development and prosperity of people.
Responding to the demands of locals, the Minister said that Government was seriously considering the genuine demands. He said all such demands will be examined on the basis of set criteria laid by the Government and all deserving areas will get their due share. The initiative will open new chapter of fast track development in the rural areas which are spread over vast geographical topography and large population.
The deputations of several hilly villages, Sarpanchs/Panchs called on the Minister during his tour to this hilly belt and put forth their demands. The demands mostly pertained to upgradation of basic services. The Minister assured them to address these issues on priority. He issued instructions to the officers to attend to the problems of locals on priority.
Follow our WhatsApp channel