Reiterating that the Samajwadi Party Government was a true friend of farmers, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav launched the second phase of the World Bank-sponsored Uttar Pradesh Water Sector Restructuring Project with a promise that villages craving for water would get adequate supply of water for drinking and irrigation purposes soon.
Yadav announced that 16 districts of the state, including Amethi, Rae Bareli, Kannauj and seven districts of Bundelkhand, would be provided water for drinking and irrigation purposes in the next two years.
The Chief Minister launched the World Bank-sponsored second phase of the project which is estimated to cost over Rs 3,090 crore and will improve irrigation facility in 12 lakh hectares.
"Uttar Pradesh is facing problems today because of the previous Bahujan Samaj Party Government that not only stalled the ongoing projects but also slowed down the pace of World Bank schemes. My Government first completed the pending projects and has now taken up new schemes," he said.
Yadav said the Samajwadi Party Government was true friend of farmers and had always worked for the welfare of the farmers and the poor. State Irrigation Minister Shivpal Singh Yadav said the Government was committed to provide water to villages and would also ensure that floods do not create havoc in the plains.
"Our priority is to provide adequate water for drinking and irrigation purposes in all the villages of Bundelkhand in the next two years time. 'If need be, the state Government will approach World Bank for financing the projects of Bundelkhand," he added.
WB's country director Onno Rühl, who spoke in Hindi, appreciated state Irrigation Department's initiatives. He said the project would increase irrigation facilities in 16 districts and end poverty there besides controlling the annual menace of floods.
WB project director Winston U said with the launch of the second phase of UP Water Sector Restructuring Project, a new era of irrigation facilities would be begin in the state.
"The new phase would be full of innovative technology and help farmers and people of the state meet their daily needs," he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary Jawed Usmani said the second phase of the Water Sector Restructuring Project was very important as the first phase started in March 2002 had completed on October 2011 at a cost of Rs 747 crore in seven districts. He said the first phase added irrigation facilities to 343 lakh hectares.
"The second phase will increase irrigation facilities in 16 districts of the state to 12 lakh hectare at a cost of Rs 3,090 crore and the WB would charge only one per cent interest on the fund," he added.
Principal Secretary Deepak Singhal said the UP Government had already repaid the loan of Rs 587.64 crore taken from the WB for the first phase of the project.