Tuki pleads Centre for grant under AIBP

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITAGAR, February 11: Union Water Resource Minister Uma Bharati has assured all possible help to Aruchal Pradesh from her ministry.

The minister disclosed this during an hour long meeting with Chief Minister bam Tuki at his office yesterday which was attended by host of dignitaries including Civil Supplies and WRD Minister Kamlung Mossang, WRD Parliamentary Secretary Gum Tayeng, Union Additiol Secretary Dr Amarjit Singh, Commissioner to CM Thajom Taloh, Secretary WRD Gaken Ete, Chief Engineer WRD L Angu and other department officers, a communiqué from the CMO said.

Tuki while briefing the union minister said that the state government has been putting lot of effort in maximizing the green cover by providing altertives to the farmers to wean away the traditiol dependence on forest.

Irrigation is one major altertive through which farmers would be localized at a permanent agricultural land with assured irrigation facilities; he said and requested Bharti to consider for central grant under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme to the tune of Rs 200 crore to the state for the year 2015-16.

The chief minister further requested the visiting dignitary to reconsider the funding pattern on Command Area Development & Water Magement programme to 90:10 from the existing 50:50 ratio of state and central share.

He reasoned that the State has unique topography as compared to the plain states of India and the investment cost per hectare for Command Area Development & Water Magement programme is much higher than that of other states.

Revealing that Aruchal Pradesh is in the safe zone with respect to extraction of ground water which is barely 0.07% as compare to 58% tiol average, Tuki requested the ministry of Water Resource to launch a special central programme to exploit Ground Water which could substantially meet up the drinking and irrigation requirement of the people.

He disclosed that the State is ready with construction of 10,700 wells at the foot hill belt with an estimated cost of Rs 550.00 crores and urged the Ministry to consider the project. Tuki also requested to allocate enough central grants under Flood Magement Programme for which 23 basin-wise DPRs amounting to Rs 574.86 crores have already been submitted to the ministry.

Bharati was also urged to expedite clearances of Hydro Electric Projects lying pending with various ministries.

Assuring all possible help and assistance, Bharti extended gratitude to Tuki for the warm hospitality rendered to her entourage. She said that the state was marching ahead on right track and her Ministry would extend all possible assistance whenever sought for, the communiqué added.