In a bid to ensure financial assistance to farmers for laying of underground pipeline system for irrigation in the state, Horticulture, Soil & Water Conservation Minister, Rana Gurjit Singh, on Monday directed Director Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Punjab to release Rs. 10.00 Cr. to the Chief Conservator of Soils, Punjab immediately to implement approved projects for laying of underground pipeline system for irrigation under RKVY and CDP.Chairing a high-level meeting here, he asked officials to move a proposal for urgent release of RKVY & CDP funds for consideration of the Finance Department through the Financial Commissioner (Agriculture). Balance funds for approved projects of Department of Soil & Water Conservation shall also be released at the earliest, he stressed.
Top priority should be given to the Horticulture Project approved under RKVY/CDP for creation of infrastructure in the state and funds required for the same may be released to the Department of Horticulture, the Minister instructed.Mr Rajesh Vashisht, Chief Conservator of Soils, Punjab apprised the Minister that Department of Soil & Water Conservation has been implementing various projects for laying of underground pipeline system for irrigation with financial assistance for farmers approved by the State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) since 2007-08. An amount of Rs 103.36 Cr. including Rs 95.78 Cr. of RKVY and 7.58 Cr. of CDP is due to be released.