Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control Sham Lal Chaudhary reiterated the commitment of the government to provide water for irrigation to every agricultural field in the State.The Minister was speaking after dedicating two Lift Irrigation Schemes to the people in far flung villages, approximately 76 km away from Akhnoor town. The Lift Irrigation Scheme, Bal constructed at the cost of Rs. 89 lakh would benefit more than 200 souls living in the village while as the Lift Irrigation Scheme constructed in village Saroh at the cost of Rs. 71 lakh will also benefit more than 200 souls.MLA Akhnoor Rajeev Sharma was also present on the occasion.The Minister said, “Since, the people living in both the villages depend mainly on agriculture for their livelihood, therefore, these Irrigation Schemes will definitely improve their economic condition.” Later, a public grievance redress camp was convened at village Saroh in which the people hailing from all sections of the society participated and apprised the minister about their demands related to construction of roads, power supply, water supply, healthcare, education and sanitation.
After hearing their demands, the Minister said that the government has started constructed of various new water supply schemes and irrigation schemes in the area for streamlining the supply of water for drinking and irrigation purposes. The government is launching one scheme after the other for the benefit of common masses, he added.Meanwhile, MLA Akhnoor Rajeev Sharma assured the locals that their demands related to power supply, road connectivity etc. would be taken up at appropriate level and steps would be taken to fulfill their genuine grievances at the earliest. He also called upon the people to come forward and take maximum benefit of state and centrally sponsored schemes including PM Ujjwala Yojana, Ladli Beti Scheme, State Marriage Assistance Scheme and other financial assistance schemes for improving their living conditions.Earlier, the minister also inspected the Main Ranbir Canal Head Works at Akhnoor. Chief Engineer Jammu PHE Susheel Aima, Chief Engineer, I&FC Jammu Rajeev Ganotra and other senior officers of the department were present during the visit.
Meanwhile, the Minister also addressed an ‘Adhikaar rally’ of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) refugees at village Khour being organized to inform them about the formalities required to apply for the relief package, here today.The villagers from Khour and various adjoining villages participated in the rally and sought information related to disbursement of relief to them. The Minister said that the process of relief distribution would be further simplified so that people don’t face any difficulty in getting their due right.The Minister further said the announcement of Rs. 2,000 crore relief package for the PoK refugees is a revolutionary step being taken by the PM Narendra Modi led government at the Centre and it will prove very beneficial for the refugee families.MLA Jammu Sat Sharma, MLA Chhamb Dr Krishan Lal and MLA Akhnoor Rajeev Sharma were also present in the rally.