Government has said that about 1.74 lakh Dovas, i.e. small farm ponds, constructed during last and this financial year are working fabulously in terms of extending irrigation, rising water table and farm income in rural areas.
Rural Development Minister Neelkant Singh Munda termed the scheme as one of the highlights of the Government, which was quite often criticised for wastage of money and even named as ‘ditches of death’, especially after cases of children drowning into it started coming frequently.
“Our works done in their field are remarkable. 1,74,654 dovas have been constructed already and 1,03,421 are under construction across the State,” said Munda addressing press conference on Monday ahead of completion of 1000 days of the Government putting expenditure level of his Department up to 92.21 per cent for 2016-17.
MGNREGA Commissioner Siddharth Tripathi said, “We have conducted an independent study to examine the effects of dovas which has revealed that it has reduced critical irrigation issue by providing water during critical period, upped water table in and around along with sustained income to locals from fishery activities.”
Talking more about achievements of the Government, the Minister added, “We have appointed 1,7,500 panchayat volunteers for the ease of common man. Against 13,000 kms of rural roads built in past 14 years, we have already built 6,500 kms during 1000 days”
He also added that during the State foundation day celebrations, 1.78 lakh beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna would be given keys of their houses being built with facilities like toilets, power connection, lPG etc coming up in rural areas. Total 2,22,388 such dwellings have to be given during 2016-17 and this FY so far.
Talking about MGNREGA, the Minister said that man-days creation has gone up from 1025 lakh to 1600 lakh while 94 per cent labourers are paid on time and all through DBT.