PEERZADA SAYEED
Kupwara,June 10 : A much needed project of restoration, renovation and desilting of major irrigation canals and minor khuls has been initiated under MGNREGA convergence by Rural Development department (RDD) I&FC department, on the directions of the District Development Commisioner(DDC) Kupwara, Ms. Ayushi Sudan.
Execution of this project has shown the signs of success and sighs of relief for farmers of the district as they now have access to adequate irrigation water for their paddy fields and problem of water scarcity for irrigation has been solved.
This project has not only benefitted thousands of farmers, but has also generated 49427 days of employment and labour wages amounting to Rs.2.95 crores under MGNREGA till date, besides irrigation facility to more than 10000 hectares of land.
It is in palce to mention here that massive floods, triggered by heavy rains from April 27 to April 30, 2024 had wrecked a havoc in most parts of Kupwara district by damaging the irrigation canals and othrr water bodies besides devastating the heads of these Khuls and filling them with silt ,soil and plastic wastes which had badly hampered the smoth flow of irrigation water to the paddy fields and posed a threat to the paddy sowing season in the district.
For the immediate restoration and desilting of damaged canals, the District Development Commissioner (DDC) Kupwara, Ms.Ayushi Sudan had convened a review cum situation analysis meeting at Kupwara where she directed officers of RDD and I&FC to utilize MGNREGA convergence for renovation , restoration and construction of irrigation canals.
A Comprehensive project ” Har Khait ko Pani” was formulated in consultation with I&FC department with the vision of restoration, renovating and desilting of irrigation canals and minor khuls, across the district, which was approved by district adminstration with in no time, keeping in view the urgency of paddy sowing season and uninterrupted irrigation water supply to the paddy fields.
This Project was executed through the registered job card holders by RDD Kupwara in convergence with I&FC Kupwara under MGNREGA Scheme.
“Around 300 canals ranging from minor khuls to major canals like Lal khul, Maidanpora Khul, Dudwari khul, Shatmuqam khul,Head of Goos khul and Brundogger khul etc were restored, renovated and desilted, much to the relief of farmers” said Assistant Commisioner Development Kupwara,Muzaffar Ahmad Sheikh.
ACD said that this project has mitigated the problems of the farmers arisen post floods due to massive damage to irrigation canals, their heads and sources.
ACD siad that due to timely execution of this project irrigation water is now reaching their paddy fields uninterrupted which will result in sustainable agricultural productivity , improving water use efficiency and enhancement in irrigation coverage in the district.
While hoping to reap the significant benefits of the convergence project, farmers of Kupwara district have applauded the timely efforts of District Adminstration Kupwara especially District Development Commisioner Kupwara, ACD and EXecutive Engineer I&FC Kupwara.
