In a bid to check the menace of water logging in the state far more efficaciously, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today asked Irrigation department to initiate the process for strengthening, upgrading and widening the entire drainage system in south-western districts of state.Continuing his whirlwind tour of the rain affected districts of the state for the second consecutive day, the Chief Minister, after having detailed deliberations with the victims of this tragedy in villages of Sri Muktsar Sahib district, underscored the need for upgrading, widening and strengthening the existing drainage system in water logged districts of state for carrying out the excess water, so as to check the menace of water logging. Mr. Badal said that the widening, upgrading and strengthening of the drainage system was a part of the state government’s ambitious master plan to stamp out the problem of water logging adding that it would help in reducing the retention period of excess water from currently 14-21 days to seven days by disposing it off in an expedite manner.
Meanwhile, in order to duly compensate the victims of this grave tragedy, the Chief Minister also asked Financial Commissioner Revenue (FCR) Mr. NS Kang to monitor the entire process personally, so that people could be given relief in a prompt manner. He said that the Revenue department must ensure that entire damage to crop and property was accounted in a proper manner so that the victims of this tragedy could be compensated for their loss. “The state government is duty bound to help all the victims of this grave tragedy in the current scenario of grief and we are making all out efforts to bail out the people from this crisis” added Mr. Badal.
Peeved over the hardships faced by the people of these areas, the Chief Minister also asked the Irrigation department to explore the feasibility of creating a separate post of Chief Engineer (Floods) for this region, so that meticulous planning could be made to save the people from the scourge of floods. He said that the expert appointed on this post should be entrusted with the job of finding out ways and means to prevent the floods in this region. Mr. Badal bemoaned that floods have become an annual feature in the water logged districts and we would take every step to check the huge loss of property caused by it every year.
Later on interacting with the media persons, the Chief Minister said that the entire plan for complete overhaul of the damaged infra structure in the water logged villages would be ready within a fortnight and after the concurrence of the villagers the work for reconstruction would be started within a month. Mr. Badal said that the state government was fully aware of the gravity of the situation and no stone would be left unturned to help the people in this hour of distress. He said that the top brass of the state government was already visiting every village to assess the loss so that necessary action could be taken.
Soliciting the support and cooperation of people in this gigantic task, the Chief Minister urged them to personally monitor the rescue and rehabilitation measures being taken by the state government. He said that every officer of the state government was fully accountable to people for every work done by them. Mr. Badal said that with the active public support, the state government could perform its duty far more efficiently and in a planned manner.The Chief Minister, who visited Malout, Inna Khera, Tarkhan Wala, Lakhmeer-e-aana, Hunan Kalan, Udaang, Baam, Maha Baddar, Bhagsar, Ruhereanwali and other villages today, was accompanied by MLA Mr. Harpreet Singh, Chairman Punjab Agro Food grains Corporation Jathedar Dyal Singh Kolianwali, Member Punjab State Women Commission Ms. Veerpal Kaur Tarmala, senior Akali leaders Mr. Manjit Singh Barkandi and Kanwarjeet Singh Rozy Barkandi, Chairman of District Planning Committee Sri Muktsar Sahib Mr. Hardeep Singh Dimpi Dhillon, FCR Mr. NS Kang, his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema, Secretary Irrigation Mr. Kahan Singh Pannu and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Jaskiran Singh.