Punjab Government on Wednesday sanctioned 280 new tube wells for Kandi and sub-mountain area to tackle the perennial irrigation water shortage problems in these pockets.
Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, presiding over a meeting of irrigation department, approved `108 crore to be spent for the purpose in the area. “We have got a comprehensive study done on irrigation requirement of the area and as per findings of that study, 280 spots have been identified where there is an immediate requirement of digging deep tube wells,” said Sukhbir.
Sukhbir instructed the Irrigation Department to immediate tender out digging of 280 tubewells and as per availability of digging rigs in the market, it was decided that 140 deep tube wells be handed over to farmer community by September 30 and remaining 140 would be operational byMarch 31, next.
“Our Government is fully committed to develop agriculture and encourage diversification in the Kandi area to bring development of this area at par with developed areas of the State,” he said.
Approving relining of all minors in the State, Sukhbir said that 65-year-old minor irrigation network needs immediate revitalisation to ensure water to the farmers at the tail ends.
“Since last 65 years, Centre has not sanctioned a single penny for rehabilitation and maintenance of Canal network. Due to lack of maintenance, the whole of canal network has become silted and choked with weeds, reducing the capacity of canal less than 50 per cent,” said Sukhbir.
“In future, Irrigation Department while tendering these projects should make the construction agency accountable for maintaining that system for next 15 years,” he said.
He also asked the Secretary Irrigation to redraft the tender documents incorporating this clause, in which construction agency would conduct annual maintenance of the canal system, desilting besides deweeding the whole system.
“Tender should also incorporate the clause making construction agency accountable for ensuring supply of water at tail end of the system besides monitoring the usage of Canal Water at different points,” he added. The department was also asked to put up a comprehensive plan for total canal system.