Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 23: The House today took up discussion on the working of Ministry of PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control.
Eighteen members took part in the discussion. The members highlighted several general and area specific issues to bring to the notice of the Minister.
Subash Chander Gupta welcomed the measures taken by the department for de-silting of canals. He demanded repairing of hand pumps. He also called for filling up of vacant posts and deployment of adequate trained staff to all subdivisions to improve the functioning of the department.
Syed Rafiq Shah demanded new water supply schemes in Kupwara to address shortage of portable water. He said permanent embankments be built along the flood prone Nallahs to safeguard people and agricultural areas from devastation during rains.
Jahangir Mir called for proper implementation of all Centrally Sponsored Schemes with special focus on Kandi belt. He said that several schemes have become defunct due to improper surveys and called for conducting surveys through well trained and experienced engineers. He demanded filling up of vacant posts and judicious utilisation of water resources.
Javaid Ahmad Rana called for a comprehensive Master Plan for construction of check dams and rain water harvesting tanks to improve diminishing ground water resources. He demanded funds be earmarked for maintenance of Hand pumps. He also called for revisiting International and interstate water usage treaties including Indus Water Treaty to ensure due share and compensation to Jammu and Kashmir.
Ali Mohammad Dar called for completion of all on-going water supply and lift irrigation schemes in Budgam District. He demanded that the recommendations of Panchayat Committees be given consideration while selecting places for hand pumps.
G. N. Monga called for taking up schemes in targeted and time bound completion mode to ensure better results. He said that Check dams and rain water harvesting schemes be launched in the state especially at village level to augment ground water reserves. He said dysfunctional filtration plants be immediately restored. He said that ITI trained youth be given preference in various PHE jobs including plumbers.
Aga Syed Rizvi demanded better quality distribution pipes capable of withstanding extreme cold temperature in Ladakh region. He said that often pipes burst due to cold temperature causing leakage and inconvenience to the people. He also called for filling up vacant posts of JEs and plumbers in Kargil and completion of all PHE and Irrigation schemes.
Nurboo Gialchan called for phase-wise completion and commissioning of major schemes to ensure timely benefit accrue to the people. He demanded irrigation facilities to utilize vast stretches of cultivable land available in Leh region for agriculture.
Naresh Gupta called for improving the efficiency of the department to meet the physical and financial targets. He said that a befitting transfer policy be introduced in the department to ensure envisaged outcomes.
Jugal Kishore called for filling up vacant posts in the department to ensure that all schemes remain functional. He called for fast tracking all water supply schemes to address growing shortage of water in Katra owing to huge rush of tourists. He also called for creation of Special Irrigation Sub-Division for Reasi and Dharmari (PHE).
Showkat Hussain called for renovation of filtration plants in Shopian and supply of adequate water to various water deficient areas of the district.
Dr. Shehnaz Ganai called for maintaining highest safety standards to ensure drinking water is clean and safe for use. She said that various water borne diseases occur due to supply and drinking of untreated water. She called for a comprehensive Master Plan for Flood Control and demanded that Poonch Lift Irrigation Scheme be given due attention.
Sham Lal Bhagat demanded completion of various water supply and irrigation schemes in Asar block of district Doda.
Abdul Majeed Bhat while expressing his views said that most of the pumps remain defunct and demanded that measures be taken up to make them functional. He said work on Samthan dug well has been stopped and called for its early revival.
Mohammad Muzaffer Parray said that Hartar Lift Irrigation Scheme is almost complete but has not been commissioned as the forest department has objected to laying of pipes on a piece of land. He demanded early action in the matter to make the project functional. Mr Parray said that Nigli Nallah remains dry during peak season and demanded alternate irrigation facility to the fields getting water from Nigli Nallah.
Dr.Bashir Ahmad Veeri said that states food grain deficiency can be addressed through proper and adequate irrigation facilities. Dr Veeri said several water supply schemes in South Kashmir were supposed to be completed by mid-2012-13 but target has not been met. Suggesting preservation of the springs in the district, Dr Veeri said that need is to improve and make Batpora, Wopzan, Sirigofara, Slar and Bijbehera schemes operational at an earliest.
Khalid Najeeb Suhrwardhy said that Doda Gravity Scheme was started in 2003-2004 but is still incomplete. He said due to some technical defects the project has been delayed. He and its cost escalated from Rs 7 cr to Rs 22 cr. He demanded an inquiry into the matter.
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