Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Oct 27: Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma today inaugurated four Water Supply Schemes in the hilly and far-flung areas of Rajouri district, developed at an estimated cost of Rs. 7.27 crore.
The schemes which have been inaugurated today included, WSS, Pari Narota, WSS, Dharamsal, WSS, Lamberi-Jamiana and WSS, Dalogra. With the commissioning of these schemes, over 10,000 souls of over two dozen villages of Rajouri district will get the safe drinking water facility.
MLA Kalakote, Thakur Rachpal Singh, MLC, Ravinder Sharma, Chief Engineer, PHE, K.K. Gupta, Chief Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control, Virender Badyal & district officers of various departments also accompanied the Minister.
Addressing the people, the Minister said that Government was committed to ensure all round development of all three regions of the State, especially the rural and far-flung areas. He said during the past over five years, the Government has given focused attention to improve the vital sectors and basic amenities. He said PHE is one of the vital sectors and Government will make all out efforts to upgrade the existing water supply schemes in the Rajouri district. He said Government has also empowered the PRIs substantially and they will supplement their efforts to supervise the functioning of the PHE schemes at the grass root level. He said Central Government has announced Rs. 10 lakh for each Panchayat for development and up-gradation of essential services for the people in the rural areas as per the needs.
Urging the Panchayat functionaries to play their pro-active role for the over-all development of their areas for which they have been mandated, he said Government will continue to make efforts for their empowerment as per the Central Government Panchayat Act.
Responding to the demands of the PHE Daily Rated workers, the Minister said that the lists have been finalized and Government will take a final decision on the issue in near future.
On the occasion, the Minister also announced that a special feeder will be installed in Nowshera area for smooth functioning of PHE schemes in view of poor power infrastructure and power supply that results into drinking water crisis off and on. In order to overcome the water problem in the area, the Minister issued instructions to the engineers to formulate two mega schemes in the area, keeping into mind the future requirements.
MLA Kalakote, Thakur Rachpal Singh and MLC, Ravinder Sharma requested the Minister to provide potable drinking water to all uncovered localities and improving the irrigational facilities.
Later, the Minister along with Shabir Khan, Minister of State for Health addressed the prominent citizens of Rajouri at Dak Bungalow and appealed them to maintain age old mutual brotherhood and promote communal harmony.
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