Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Chaudhary convened a meeting to review the status of ongoing and targeted water supply schemes in Reasi and Udhampur districts here today.
Minister of State for Finance and Planning Ajay Nanda, Legislators, Aijaz Khan and Pawan Gupta were also present in the meeting.
The Minister reviewed the practical and ground level implication of the scheme along with financial progress. He said in this fiscal the government would focus on installation of more hand pumps for wider coverage of small habitations.
The meeting was informed about the present status of major water supply schemes of Reasi and Udhampur like Dhansar Baba scheme, Salal lift system, Rolkiyan, Panthal WSS, Pangan Devta, Jagano etc.
Threadbare discussion was also held on projecting new schemes for Matlote, Hunder, Sawalkote and other areas having acute shortage of water.
The Minister instructed engineers to prepare necessary DPRs for water supply schemes as projected by legislators in the meeting. He also asked them for early submission of UCs to the central government for smooth and regular funding under various components.
On the occasion, the Minister directed the Chief Engineer to ensure that works on water supply schemes are completed at an earliest to augment the water supply in these districts. There should be regular visits by the engineers in the field to be well versed with the ground level situation and impending issues of their department.
In response to the issue of pumps raised by MLA Udhampur, the Minister also directed for installation of 4 water pumps and completion of all ongoing water supply schemes in Udhampur besides preparing the DPRs for logistics required for supplying drinking water to every house hold in the district.
Ajay Nanda also projected issue of separate Hydraulic division for Reasi at par with one already functioning at Dharmari besides highlighting issue of upkeep of water sources which have been tapped for further distribution of water.
The meeting was attended by Chief Engineer PHE Jammu Susheel Aima, Superintending Engineer Hydraulic Udhampur Jagdish Singh Chib, Executive Engineers, Assistant Engineers and other officials of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control.