Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sukhnandan Kumar called on Union Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu and requested him to make special provision for covering maximum cities of Jammu and Kashmir under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).The AMRUT scheme covers all cities and towns with a population of over one lakh with notified municipalities including cantonment boards. Due to this, only three cities in the State including Jammu, Anantnag and Srinagar are being covered under this prestigious scheme of the Union Government.
The PHE Minister requested the Union Minister to make special provision for J&K as the state has so many cities with population less than one lakh that need urgent attention for the overall development of the state.
The Union Minister assured him that the issue would be taken up in next Cabinet meeting and it will be ensured that the state of Jammu and Kashmir gets maximum benefits.It is pertinent to mention here that AMRUT scheme has been launched by the Centre Government with an aim to ensure that every household has access to a tap with assured supply of clean drinking water, sewerage connection and access to urban transportation. This scheme will help in improving the quality of life for the poor and downtrodden sections of the society.Later, the Minister called on Union Minister for Water Resources Uma Bharti to discuss the modalities related to modernization of Ranbir canal. The Minister requested for providing the remaining funds for the upgradation of 400 km long distribution system so that the wastage of water can be minimized along the canal and adequate water can be provided to the people for irrigation and drinking purposes.
He also discussed various ongoing projects of irrigation and flood control in the state and asked the Union Minister to ensure that timely funding is provided for proper execution of centrally sponsored schemes.The PHE Minister also called on Union Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Sanitation & Drinking Water Chaudhary Birender Singh to hold discussions on the issues related to the ongoing PHE schemes in the state.He informed the Union Minister about steps taken up by the state government for providing clean drinking water to the people under National Rural Drinking Water Programme and other centrally sponsored schemes. The Minster requested him to provide funds for the proper implementation of PHE schemes in the state.Member of Parliament Shamsher Singh Manhas also accompanied the Minister during the visit.