Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan laid the foundation of the ambitious Narmada-Parvati link Project in Sehore district today. Under the second phase of the project, water will be supplied to the agriculture fields of farmers through pipe line by lifting it to about 295 metre height from Indira Sagar Reservoir.
The first pumping station will be constructed at Dharampuri of Kannod tahsil in this connection. Arrangement will be made to supply water to agriculture fields by pumping water from the second pumping station to the junction structure to be constructed near Singarcholi village of Ashta tahsil. About 2.50 lakh hectare area of 187 villages of Ashta, Jawar and Ichchawar tahsils of Sehore district will be irrigated under the scheme.
Chouhan at the foundation laying function held today said that fate of the farmers of Sehore district and picture of area will change completely after the completion of this project.
The project will facilitate water to the farmers for irrigation upto area of 2.5 hectare through pipeline. Farmers of Sehore district, who are dwelling at high ground from Narmada River geographically, will be benefitted by this scheme. Arrangement is being made to supply water through pipeline in place of canals so that farmers get water for irrigation at the earliest.
The Chief Minister said that Narmada-Kshipra-Kalisindh and Parvati rivers are being linked at an approximate cost of Rs 1.30 lakh crore to facilitate irrigation on such 7.50 lakh hectare area, where farmers used to grow crops only during the good rains. He mentioned that this area will also get rid of potable water problem after completion of this project.
Besides, Chouhan further mentioned that the state government is committed to improve economic condition of farmers and to transform agriculture into a profitable occupation at any cost. An amount of over Rs. 482 crore of crop insurance scheme has been deposited in the bank accounts of over 1.51 lakh farmers of Sehore district today. Bonus at the rate of Rs 200 per quintal was given on wheat sold last year.
While expressing gratitude towards the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for increasing support price of various crops, Chouhan stated that farmers of the state will also get benefitted by this.
He informed that efforts are being made to export state’s soybean to China, this will also benefit state’s farmers.
Informing about the Sambal Yojana started for labourers of the unorganized sector of Madhya Pradesh, Chouhan mentioned that this is a unique scheme of the country.
About 2 crore unorganized labourers of the state have registered themselves in the scheme till now. Arrangement to provide free education to children of poor families and medical facility has been made under the Sambal Yojana.