Be Farmers Friendly, CM Sarbananda Sonowal Tells Irrigation Department

* The State to implement 'Har Khet Ko Pani' scheme

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday asked the Irrigation department to chalk out a roadmap to effectively execute the surface minor irrigation scheme named ‘Har Khet Ko Pani’ in the State.

This scheme will be implemented to increase access to ground water under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana in 14 districts in the first phase. It aims to improve farm productivity and ensure better utilization of water resource. The scheme will provide irrigation facilities to around 1.4 lakh agricultural land in the State. Under this scheme, 4,779 solar and electricity-operated tubewells are to be installed benefiting over 19,000 farmers.

Sonowal, while reviewing the ongoing irrigation schemes at a meeting held at his office conference room at Janata Bhwan here on Friday, stressed the need for drawing a roadmap to ensure effective implementation of the proposed scheme. The Chief Minister also made several suggestions to make the Irrigation Department more farmer friendly enhancing its credibility and efficiency.

The Chief Minister also emphasid physical verification of ongoing schemes by senior officials and regular review meetings to make the scheme implementation more timely and expeditious. Sonowal further asked MoS (Ind) Bhabesh Kalita to take appropriate steps in this regard.

Sonowal underlined the need for timely implementation and speedy completion of all ongoing schemes of the department in the State. He directed the department to convene district-wise review of every major and minor irrigation scheme at Secretary and Chief Engineer levels in the presence of executive engineers and contractors or implementing agencies. The Chief Minister, while saying that the government would take all necessary steps to address the problems faced by the contractors, at the same time made it clear that strict action would be initiated against contractors for their negligence.

Sonowal asked the department to advertise details of each and every scheme highlighting the name of contractors or implementing agencies as well as sanctioned amount with a view to bring more transparency in the functioning of the department. Besides, the Chief Minister also instructed to initiate necessary steps for filling up all vacancies in the department to enhance its working capacity.

Minister of State (Ind), Irrigation Bhabesh Kalita, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sanjoy Lohiya, Secretary to the Irrigation Department Rakesh Kumar, Chief Engineers and other senior officials of the department were present in the review meeting.

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