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| 5000 villages to be covered under PM’s irrigation programme: Soz | | Appeals all Kashmiri groups to join peace process | | Srinagar, January 14
Union Minister for Water Resources, Professor Saif-ud-Din Soz has said that the Central government has launched a comprehensive plan to promote and explore water resources under 11th Finance Commission. In the first phase, 5000 villages of 31 districts of the country would be brought under Prime Minister’s Special Irrigation Programme.
Addressing a crowded press conference at his residence here today, the Minister said that government has plan of Rs. 18 crore for restoring pristine glory of the River Jehlum by way of developing and beautifying its banks. For this purpose Rs. 12 crore have already been released, he added.
Responding to a question about water situation in the whole of India, Professor Soz said the situation is quite satisfactory saying that the Central government is striving hard to provide potable drinking water to every and each soul of the country. He said for achieving self-sufficiency in food production, water occupies key position, as such, natural water resources as well as rain water need to be preserved. To another question, Mr. Soz said that final outcome of Indus Water Treaty is expected by end of February this year.
The Minister said that funds for under construction 31 lift irrigation schemes in his state of Jammu and Kashmir have been released while three new lift irrigation projects namely Haritar, Neelnag Lake and Budshah Pond (Tujar Sharief) would be taken up shortly. He said that modernization of Dadi Canal Martand, Mav Nandi and Babul Canal is under process and funds for the same would be released soon adding that 44 tube wells for irrigation and drinking water purposes are at different stages of development under Central Ground Water Board.
Replying to a question about the Indo-Pak dialogue, Mr. Soz said that dialogue process is moving in right direction and visit of Foreign Minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee to Pakistan forms a part of it hoping that positive results would emerge soon. He said Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Indian leadership are sincere to resolve all issues bilaterally and in a peaceful manner with Pakistan.
He said that Prime Minister is ready to hold talks with all Kashmiri groups including militant organizations to hammer out a peaceful situation of all outstanding issues. He appealed all parties and secessionist groups to join the peace process.
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