Badal For Rs. 100 Crore Project To Strengthen Drains In The Water Logged Areas In Punjab

5 Dariya News

Chandigarh 06-Sep-2013

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal asked the Chief General Manager NABARD Punjab Region Mr. Naresah Gupta to expedite the process of sanctioning funds to initiate Rs. 100 crore project to upgrade the existing Drainage system in the water logged areas of the state.Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's office said that Mr. Badal was presiding over a high level meeting with a team of NABARD led by Mr. Naresah Gupta here late last evening to review various projects of Rs. 661 crore under different NABARD schemes for the state.

Expressing concern over the menace of water logging in major part of the South West Punjab i.e. in districts of Sri Muktsar Sahib, Fazilka and Faridkot besides, Kahnuwan in Gurdaspur District, Mr. Badal emphasized on the need to strengthen the existing drainage system in these areas for effective redrerssal of the water logging.Taking part in the deliberations Mr. Gupta assured the Chief Minister that NABARD would sanction Rs. 100 crore project for addressing the issue of water logging effectively. Mr. Gupta also apprised the CM that NABARD could have disbursed more funds but limit of Rs. 495 crore fixed under Section 293 (3) of the Constitution of India for the State was the limiting factor. He requested that the State Government may pursue with the Planning Commission to get the same enhanced up to Rs. 600 crore.

The other members of the NABARD's team accompanied Mr. Gupta included General Manager (GM) Mr. AK Ray Barman, Mr. PN Satya Prasad and Mr. CM Dhiman both DGMs besides Mr. RR Badyal and Mr. Sanjay Talukdar both AGMs.

On the occasion, Mr. Badal directed all the concerned Secretaries to keep close liaison with NABARD for implementing various approved projects in a stipulated time frame. Apart from Drainage project of Rs. 100 crore other NABARD projects includes Rs. 300 crore Mandi Board Roads, Rs. 80 crore PWD roads, Rs. 90 crore Water Supply, Rs. 50 crore Irrigation, Rs. 30 crore Uninterrupted Power supply project to Dhanis comprising three houses on urban pattern and Rs. 11.04 crore Brick lining of Water Channels for which Public had deposited their shares.Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Finance Mr. DP Raddy, Principal Secretary Irrigation Mr.Sarvesh Kaushal  and Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar.