Srinagar, Jul 12 (KNS): On the directions of Governor N.N. Vohra, Secretary PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Farooq Ahmad Shah today made an extensive tour of Poonch to take stock of the various facilities being provided to public including drinking water facilities, irrigation and other facilities. Secretary called an emergency meeting of all concerned Chief Engineers and other officers and directed them to conduct regular public darbars to address to the grievances of the general public and ensure the regular water supply to all the areas. During the meeting Secretary stressed upon all the officers to expedite the completion of all the schemes so that these schemes can be utilized for general public and they get benefitted from them. Secretary was informed that the work on 23 Centrally Sponsored Water Supply schemes is underway in Poonch with an expenditure of about Rs 31 crores. The first phase of these schemes shall be completed within two months. 21 thousand people of these areas shall be benefitted by these schemes.
Secretary directed the concerned Chief Engineer to make sure the installation of 80 hand pumps in the areas with acute water shortage and also provide drinking water to the people through tankers as and when required. He said that no lapse on this part shall be entertained. During the meeting Secretary was informed that a total of 9 Central Sponsored Water Supply Schemes with an expenditure of Rs 10 crores shall be completed in Rajouri District till December this year which shall benefit 38 thousand people in that area.
Farooq Ahmad Shah also reviewed the steps being taken for irrigation and flood control. He was informed that a total of 35 irrigation schemes with an expenditure of Rs 42 crores have been taken up in Poonch, Rajouri and Nowshera among which 12 have been completed 18 shall be completed till December this year. By the completion of these schemes an area of more than 3200 hectares shall be irrigated.
Before this Farooq Ahmad Shah also visited Pulwama and Shopian Districts along with the concerned District Development Commissioners and took stock of the flood control works being executed on Rambi Nallah at Panjran, Achan and Gularhama and directed the concerned officers to accelerate the work and make sure the timely completion of all the projects so that the people can get relief from frequent flood situation in the future.
In a meeting with DDCs he also reviewed various schemes being executed by the Department and stressed upon all the field staff to work with zeal and zest to provide quality drinking water, irrigation and other facilities to the general public. (KNS)