Uttarakhand plans block-wise monitoring of irrigation projects

DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand government would take special measures to monitor implementation of small irrigation programmes block wise, Chief Minister Harish Rawat said here today.

At a review meeting of the Irrigation Department, the Chief Minister issued directives to speed up work on ongoing projects and advocated for third party and social audit to ensure quality and transparency.

Asking the department to take up projects worth at least Rs 250 crore, he said it will be given money under human resource development. He said the core of the department must be strengthened to increase the pace of work.

The Chief Minister also sought a road map for introducing social audit of projects being run under Panchayati Raj.

Citing shortage of ground water in the state, he asked the department to work in that direction. He said a separate rain water conservation department on the lines of the Central Water Conversation Board will be set up in the state .

He also asked the department to submit a road map for revival of Bindal and Rispana rivers.

Rawat directed the officials to immediately release an amount of Rs 282.06 crore for repair of small irrigation projects damaged in last year's disaster. Under the National Development Programme, Rs 117.14 crore must be sanctioned for repair of 3,910 damaged small irrigation projects, he said.