Minister for Jal Shakti Javed Ahmed Rana today informed the Legislative Assembly that flood management and protection works on River Tawi are executed every year as per approved plan under UT CAPEX and NABARD for River Training works and strengthening of embankments.
The Minister stated this while replying to a question raised by Legislator Surinder Kumar in the House today. Javed Rana said several flood protection works under UT CAPEX are underway, with six completed and five ongoing. He added that River Tawi training work from Manwal to the Indo-Pak border is also in progress under NABARD.
The Minister further informed that three new works have been tendered for restoration and strengthening of embankment of river Tawi for an estimated cost of Rs. 769.96 lakh. He highlighted that these works include restoration of earthen embankment on the left bank of River Tawi at Bikram Chowk and upstream of Bikram Chowk Bridge, construction of damaged flood protection structures on the right bank of River Tawi near Hari Singh Park and construction of flood protection works to safeguard houses and land on the left bank of River Tawi at Chak Malhori Bajalta, adding that the project has already been tendered as approved.
I&FC Sub-Division boundaries not tied to constituency limits: Govt
The government today clarified that the boundaries of constituencies and Irrigation & Flood Control Sub-Divisions are determined independently and may not necessarily align. This was stated by Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana, in the Legislative Assembly today, while replying to a question raised by Legislator Kuldeep Raj Dubey.
The Minister informed the House that the jurisdiction of an Irrigation & Flood Control Sub-Division is decided on technical consideration of drainage and other things. Responding to concerns regarding administrative or operational constraints, the Minister categorically stated that there is no lack of supervision or coordination gaps, nor has the existing administrative arrangement resulted in delays or public inconvenience.
He further clarified that there is no proposal under consideration to merge the Irrigation & Flood Control Sub-Division, Reasi, with the PHE Sub-Division, Reasi. The present administrative structure is functioning as per established norms and technical requirements, he added.
Legislators Khurshied Ahmed and Sham Lal Sharma raised supplementary questions on the subject seeking additional clarifications which were addressed by the government.