Water Resource Minister Ramvichaar Netaam thoroughly reviewed the preparations for 'Vikas Yatra' along with other departmental works and schemes, in a meeting of State-level officials convened at Data Centre of Sihava Bhavan on Saturday.
In his address to the meeting, Minister Netam said that Vikas Yatra, which will begin from May 6 onwards under the leadership of CM Dr Raman Singh, is extremely important and beneficial for the State. He ordered the officials to dedicate the completed construction and development works to public at hands of CM and also to organise foundation laying ceremony for new schemes. Officials were instructed to expedite the under-construction departmental works and complete the same within prescribed time. He said that the irrigation schemes have been quite progressive, even as the irrigation capacity was increased by 18.44 lakh hectares till March 2012, which was 35.15 per cent of the total sown area. Officials were strictly instructed to ensure 100 per cent compliance to the announcements and orders of CM and other Ministers.
On the occasion, Parliamentary Secretary Bhaiyalal Rajwade, Principal Secretary of Water Resource Department NK Oswal and Chief Engineer HR Kutare and other developmental officers were also present.
Minister Netaam further instructed the officials to utilise entire the budget of Rs 1,603 crores allotted to Water Resource Department in current financial year 2013-14. He instructed the officials to immediately redress the pending cases of land
acquisition. Meanwhile, he said that administrative approval of Rs 252.34 crores for 59 works of Mahanadi-Godavari Kachhar Raipur, Rs 378.30 crores for 68 works of Mahanadi Project Raipur, Rs 309.68 crores for 101 works of Hasdeo Kachchar Bilaspur and Rs 595.54 crores for nine works of Hasdeo-Banfo Project Bilaspur has been given in the current financial year 2013-14. He instructed the officials to invite tenders for these works and release works orders for the same as soon as possible.
In the meeting, Minister Netam also took note of the anicut, barrages and other construction works. Meanwhile, Principal Secretary of the department Mr Oswal gave detailed description regarding the progress of various works approved in year 2012-13.