Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 25: Senior BJP leader, Baldev Singh Billawaria has appealed the Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha to himself inspect the cleanliness of irrigation canals in Jammu region.
Talking to reporters here, today Billawaria said that the canals were closed three months back but till date no desilting has been started though the water is to be released in them in the month of April.
Billawaria said that the Department of Irrigation has to release the water in canals on Baisakhi in the month of April. The canals were closed three months ago so that the desilting is completed but this work is done in the last days because officials can’t check the work as in last days work is done in an emergency manner so that the water can be released on Baisakhi. Therefore, the Lieutenant Governor should himself inspect the cleanliness of the canals and set up a committee to submit a report of daily functioning and progress, he added.
He said in addition, the public representatives should be empowered to review the condition of the canal in their respective areas so that farmers will get water for irrigation upto the tail. He said that the cleaning of the canals passing through the city has not yet started in urban areas and water will be released when canals are cleaned properly. This way lakhs of rupees will go down the drain as there is no accountability. The problem will be resolved only when this work can be monitored, properly, he added.
He said that farmers need water for irrigation. This time due to dry spell the farmers have started demanding water for their crops. So steps should be taken in this direction without delay, he added.
He also insisted on preparing projects for sewer drains falling in canals. Further, Billawaria complimented Lt Governor, for repealing SRO 302 and bringing in new SRO 60 for crusher industries and said that this will now curb black marketing as well as people will get sand, stone and other construction material at cheap rates. Councilor, Anil Masoom and Jammu district vice president of BJP, Ramesh Gupta were also present at the press conference.
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