EARTH NEWS SERVICE 
| Jammu, Nov 29 |15: Making a fervent appeal to people of refraining from polluting the canals, Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sukhnandan Kumar on Sunday said that this not only affect the irrigation facilities to their own agriculture produce but deprive the far off areas from this vital service. The Minister said this after inaugurating Water Supply Scheme at Sai Kalan in Bishnah executed under National Rural Drinking Water Programme. While addressing the gathering, the Minister appealed the people to stop dumping of garbage in the water bodies as this makes the water unsuitable for drinking and also put obstacles in the path of the government agencies providing water to farmers in the inaccessible areas of the state. The pumping station (WSS) constructed at the cost of Rs. 190 lakh would benefit a large number of people residing in Sai Kalan and its adjoining villages including Mulachak, Tangali, Fagla, Tulanwder, Jabowal, Kotly Chak Zadran, Devigarh and Balechak. While raising their grievances before the Minister, the villagers demanded construction of two bridges from Sai to Mala Chak and Sai Neowal to Jorha for convenience of the people. They further demanded repairing of tube wells at Gulab Singh Pura so that they can get clean drinking water. The villagers also projected the issue of waiving off electricity bill for the pump sets used for irrigation purposes as they use the same only for 3 to 4 months but have to pay for the whole year. The Minister said that proper electricity metres will be installed in their pump sets and the people should pay their bills accordingly. The villagers said that the lift irrigation systems installed at different locations of village Sai Kalan should be made functional so that the farmers can take utmost benefit of the facilities being provided by the government. Reacting to their grievances, the Minister said that adequate water would be provided to the farmers for irrigation and all the canals would be cleaned up in a phased manner. In this regard, he also described the people’s contribution as of vital importance who have use these public utilities as their own property. The Minister further said that the Government is committed to provide clean and safe drinking water to people living in rural as well as urban areas of the state. The Central and State Governments have launched various schemes for the same, he added.
