‘Says project will transform socio-economic profile of area’

Nowshera-Rajouri: Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma today laid foundation stone of Rs. 51.08 crore Lift Irrigation Scheme (LIS) at Beri Pattan in Rajouri district.

The scheme will be developed in two stages with a total discharge capacity of 90 cusecs of water. On completion the scheme will benefit over two dozen villages of the area with total estimated irrigation potential of around 3000 hectares of land. The source of the scheme is Manawar Tawi.

Vice Chairman, Kissan Advisory Board and local MLA, Radhey Sham Sharma, MLC, Ravinder Sharma, Chief Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sushil Aima, Chief Engineer, PHE, K.K. Gupta, sectoral officers of various departments, Sarpanchs/Panchs and large number of local people were present on the occasion.

Addressing a large gathering of people on the occasion, the Minister said that irrigation is key factor to enhance the agriculture/horticulture production which is major source of improving the GDP growth of the state, therefore, the Government accords top priority to this sector. He said it is endeavor of the Coalition Government to extend maximum irrigation facilities, especially in the dry belt to give boost to the agriculture production. During the past over one decade a large number of irrigation schemes have been launched across the State, said the Minister.

Maintaining that with the completion of this ambitious project, the Minister said the area will witness a new era of development and prosperity. He said the facility will transform the overall socio-economic status of the people. He assured that the project will be completed in a time bound period .

Listing the initiatives of Coalition government, the Minister said that during the past five years significant development has taken place in all essential sectors and change is visible on ground. This has been possible due to whole hearted support of the Central Government and Central leadership including, Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson, Smt. Sonia Gandhi and Congress Vice President, Rahul Gandhi .He said  liberal funding has been provided  to the State for undertaking massive infrastructural development. He asked the people to strengthen the hands of Central and State Governments to ensure all round  development of the State.

Mr. Radhey Sham Sharma expressed his gratitude to the Minister for his initiative to take up the Scheme. He hoped that with the completion of this prestigious project the socio-economic profile of the people of this belt will definitely improve. He asked the executing agency to complete the project within a stipulated time frame. Mr. Sharma also demanded upgradation of PHE infrastructure in Nowshera area to improve the drinking water facilities. He asked for developing some big water supply schemes to meet the futuristic needs of population of dry belt.

Mr. Ravinder Sharma congratulated the people for this scheme . He said the new chapter of development will open with the construction of this scheme. He thanked the Minister for paying special attention to mitigate the problems of this deprived belt. He demanded adequate funding to complete the on-going PHE schemes in the area.

Earlier, Chief Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sushil Aima welcomed the gathering. He gave details about the features of the project and its benefits. He assured to complete the project as per its target.(KNS)