Under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Irrigation Scheme, 111 new minor irrigation schemes worth Rs. 338.18 crore have been sanctioned for different districts in the state. Irrigation & Public Health Minister Vidya Stokes said here today that the schemes were approved due to persistent efforts of the state government with the Union Government. First instalment of Rs.49.28 crore has been released in the first phase to start work on these schemes.17679 hectares of land in the coming year will be brought under irrigation cover with completion of these schemes. Out of 111 schemes, 40 schemes in Kangra, 8 in Mandi, 13 in Kullu, 1 in Kinnaur, 28 in Shimla, 9 in Sirmour, 2 each in Solan, Una, Hamirpur and Lahaul, 3 in Bilaspur and 1 in Chamba will be executed under 'Har Khet Ko Pani' component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Irrigation scheme.The Minister said that the state government was committed to provide drinking water facility to every village and hamlet in the state alongwith provision of optimum irrigation facilities from all available sources to farmers of the state.She asked I&PH officers to start work on the first phase of these schemes within minimum time and complete the works at the earliest so that small farmers of the state could be benefited through these schemes.