![Minister for PHE, Sham Lal Sharma and Minister of State for Power, Vikar Rasool Wani addressing public gathering at Banihal on Friday. Minister for PHE, Sham Lal Sharma and Minister of State for Power, Vikar Rasool Wani addressing public gathering at Banihal on Friday.](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/page76.jpg)
Excelsior Correspondent
BANIHAL (RAMBAN), July 11: In order to overcome the drinking water problem of Banihal town the Government has sanctioned an exclusive scheme for Rs. 3.71 crore. This was revealed by the Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma while addressing a public meeting at Banihal today.
The Minister of State for Technical Education and Power, Vikar Rasool Wani was also present on the occasion.
The Minister said that Government accords top priority to PHE sector thus has focused on this sector during the past over five years. He said all out efforts have been made to strengthen and improve the PHE infrastructure in the rural and far-flung areas after assessing the ground situation.
Referring to the scarcity of water in Banihal Constituency, the Minister said the Government has sanctioned exclusive scheme to address the problem of Banihal and Rs. 60 lakh stand released to take up the project. The scheme will be completed within a period of two years, he added.
While highlighting the achievements of the Coalition Government, Mr. Sham said that an emphasis has been laid on improving the basic services for the people in all three regions of the State with special thrust on road connectivity, power, education, health and social sectors. He said Government will continue to strive for improving the facilities for which he sought people’s whole hearted support. He asked the people to cooperate with the Government for ensuring the overall development.
Mr. Vikar demanded adequate funding to complete the projects expeditiously. He also demanded upgradation of existing PHE infrastructure to improve the efficacy of schemes. He also called for initiating more PHE schemes in the uncovered areas to provide safe drinking water facilities to the people. Mr. Vikar also demanded for formulating new irrigational schemes to give impetus to agricultural activities in his constituency.
Later, the PHE Minister reviewed the status of on-going schemes in the Constituency at a meeting of engineers. He directed the engineers to speed up the pace and complete them in a time bound manner. He emphasized the need for ensuring quality of works strictly as per the design so that the schemes serve their purpose for the designated populace. He directed the engineers to conceive new schemes keeping in view the futuristic requirements of population. He directed for taping the railway tunnel water for drinking purposes.
Chief Engineer, PHE, Jammu, Sushil Aima, Chief Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control, Jammu, H.C.Jerath, Superintending Engineer (Hydraulic), Doda-Ramban, Ashok Pradhan, Executive Engineer Ground Water, Ashok Choudhary and concerned executive engineers of PHE, I&FC attended the meeting.
Chief Engineer PHE informed that as many as 30 schemes amounting to Rs.95.89 crore are in progress in the Banihal Constituency and Rs.22.47 crore have been spent on these schemes. He assured to step up efforts to complete the schemes in a time bound manner.