At a high level meeting of Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and other officials here, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday directed the State finance department to release funds worth Rs56 crore to the irrigation department for flood protection, an official spokesperson informed.
He also directed the Principal Secretary, Irrigation to fix the priorities of different works as per their requirements. Reviewing the flood protection measures, Badal directed the entire state machinery to make all necessary arrangements “well in advance” besides updating all equipment and other technical support to tackle any kind of emergency during the next monsoon.
Badal asked the DCs to keep a close tab on critical points within their jurisdiction to combat eventualities during the coming monsoons, besides establishing a proper co-ordination with the Irrigation department, the spokesperson said.
Raising the issue of continuing irregular digging of Chakki River banks along the Pathankot-Gurdaspur Road, Irrigation Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon said it can cause threat to the life and property of nearby villagers.
Directing the DC concerned to take necessary action in this regard, Badal expressed apprehension over similar situations at other places too, where people had illegally encroached the river land besides damaging the river banks. Badal advised Principal Secretary Irrigation department, to prepare a long-term strategy for a permanent solution to the floods by conducting a study involving a reputed agency, which can recommend necessary measures for widening and strengthening the State's river banks.
In the meeting, he approved for purchasing four flood protection hydraulic machines at a cost of Rs22 crore, asking the officers to chalk out the modalities in this regard.