Days of ambitious Subarnarekha multi-purpose project may see a turnaround as the Government expressed its commitment to complete all pending works within 2015-16. Water Resources and Drinking Water & Sanitation Minister Chandra Prakash Chaudhary announced this in the House on Thursday.
Replying to the Opposition on the discussion for Demand for Grants, the Minister at the same time unveiled plans to deal with irrigation problem in the State. “We are aware that the Subarnarekha project has been delayed for long due to various reasons. But I can assure the House that we will inaugurate the project in 2015-16. This Government is hell bent to change the perception of the people towards the Water Resources Department,” said Chaudhary.
The project started in 70s found several glitches in its way for various reasons and allegations of corruption have also come into light. JMM’s Kunal Sarangi charged that the scheme is the biggest scam of the State and substandard materials are being used in construction.
The multi-purpose project is set to benefit West Bengal and Odisha besides, Jharkhand bringing lakhs of hectares of land under irrigation. Talking about irrigation scenario in the State, the Minister said that at present 35 per cent of total agricultural land is irrigated.
“Improvement is there but lots of work is yet to be done. We are also applying solar-driven pumps and deep bore wells under lift irrigation schemes. Forest clearances have been big hurdle and we are committed to deal with it,” said he.
BJP’s Radha Krishna Kishore termed the State among richest with at least 10 major river basins present and 23789 million cubic meter availability of surface water. “We have been able to utilise only 4800 MCM out of it. Considering the reality in the State we have to focus on surface water and its storage. It is a fact that no Government other than this has given so much stress on irrigation projects,” he said.
The Government also expressed its commitment towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream project ‘Clean India Mission’ and has set a target to make 600 village panchayats open defecation free (ODF) during this financial year.
“We have also made provision to make 3 lakh personal toilets during 2015-16 in the pursuant of the ‘Clean India Mission’ in Jharkhand. Block headquarters and five villages around it would be sanitised on priority,” said Chaudhary.
The Government has made plan provision of Rs2005 crore for Water Resources and 1228 crore for Drinking Water and Sanitation in the Budget for which Demand for Grants got passed after discussion along with of Building Construction; Rs250 crore.
Informing about Building Construction Department, the Minister said that employees would get shelter under housing scheme on priority basis. Collectorates would be constructed at Daltonganj and Chaibasa apart from High Court building in Ranchi.