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| Sham presents outline to improve functioning of the department | | |
Jammu: Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Mr Sham Lal Sharma Tuesday informed the House that as many as 11255 Habitations have been covered under water distribution system. He said out of the 1279 Habitations targeted during Year 2012-13, as many as 706 habitations have already been brought under the distribution system, directly benefitting 5.26 lakh people this year.
Wrapping up the discussion on the working of the PHE Ministry, Mr Sham informed that 3046 hand pumps have been provided to uncovered areas this fiscal, maintaining that supply of safe portable water to the population remains a top priority of the Government. He said 35% population of the state is without this facility as of yet and efforts are afoot to cover this chunk of population too.
Thanking the members for their valuable inputs regarding the functioning of the department the Minister assured the House that steps will be taken to incorporate the suggestions of the members to make the department more vibrant, responsive, transparent and accountable so that the benefit of the schemes launched by the Government percolates down to the masses.
To improve further functioning of the department, the Minister said, monthly reviews on physical and financial achievements will be carried out, besides introducing a comprehensive frame work to ensure timely submission of mandatory utilisation certificates to clear the projects lying with Government of India.
The Minister said that to ensure timely availability of irrigation facilities to the farmers, irrigation water has been released 25 days in advance in Partap, Rawi and Ranbir Canals this year.
The Minister said that Panchayat representatives and village sanitation committees will be consulted while implementing the PHE and Irrigation schemes to ensure transparency in the system. He said that powers have already been devolved to the PRIs in respect of 14 departments including PHE.
Mr Sham said that all the divisions have been asked to prepare projects for construction of 10 Check dams per division for water harvesting so that the same could be submitted to the Centre Government for approval. He said that Jammu and Kashmir is blessed with abundant water resources and a balanced water table adding that need is to follow right techniques to utilise them so that these resources are sustained for future. He said department will also take steps to revive the traditional water sources in the state.
The Minister informed the House that two nodal officers from the department will be entrusted the job of clearance of Projects from the Centre and for the purpose the services of Resident Commissioner New Delhi will also be utilised. Mr Sham said that several initiatives will be taken to further streamline the functioning of the department through proper delegation of authority and responsibility besides making transparency and accountability more effective at all levels. He said a befitting transfer policy will be framed to improve the work culture in the entire department.
The Minister said that monitoring mechanism would be made more effective and random physical checks will be made a regular feature in the department. ''I will personally conduct random physical verification of all schemes across the state'', Sham added.
He said that, in view of the past experiences of devastation caused by floods, a comprehensive flood control plan will be chalked out for the entire state to avoid damage to life and infrastructure. He said that procurement of material that can withstand cold climatic conditions especially meant for Ladakh region will be made on the recommendations of experts.
He said that as many as 36 laboratories have already been set up to check the quality of water adding that Government is considering setting up more testing labs in every division of the state.
Regarding interstate agreements on utilisation of water, the Minister informed the House that Government has already taken up the matter with Punjab government for sharing of due portion of Power and water.
The Minister informed the House that two enquiry committees have been constituted to hold enquiry into irregularities in CCDU and procurement of material in the department. He said both these reports will be submitted within a month. |
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