Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 8: DDC Chairman Jammu, Bharat Bhushan Bodhi, has called upon the Government to allocate sufficient funds for desilting of Ranbir and Partap canals to ensure that water reaches the tail ends of these vital irrigation channels.
In a statement issued here today, Bharat Bhushan highlighted that the Government has approved only Rs 4 crore for the desilting of the canals, whereas the actual requirement stands at Rs 10 crore. He expressed concern that the allocated amount is grossly inadequate to address the desilting needs effectively.
“The Ranbir canal is the lifeline for farmers in Jammu as it fulfills the irrigation needs of the agricultural community. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the LG Sinha have committed to doubling farmers’ income, and ensuring proper irrigation is crucial to achieving this goal,” he said.
The DDC Chairman emphasized that desilting is essential to clean the canals and their distributaries so that water can flow uninterruptedly to the tail-end areas, which are predominantly rice belts. Without adequate funds, he said, the desilting process would remain incomplete, depriving farmers of much-needed irrigation water during critical periods.
Bharat Bhushan urged the Government to reconsider the allocation and provide sufficient funds to ensure that the desilting process is carried out comprehensively. “Proper desilting is vital to ensure that canal water reaches every farmer, especially those at the farthest ends, thereby supporting agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods,” he added.
The DDC Chairman reiterated his commitment to advocating for the welfare of farmers and urged authorities to prioritize their needs in alignment with the vision of sustainable agricultural growth.
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