Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesdaysanctioned Rs.130 crore for execution of various flood protection works acrossthe state and directed the irrigation and revenue departments to ensuretheir completion before the onset of themonsoon season.
Chairing a meeting of the State Flood Control Board throughvideo conferencing, Captain Amarinder Singh also ordered to place Rs. 10 croreat the disposal of the Deputy Commissioners of flood prone districts to dealwith any emergent situation arising due to heavy rains/floods. The ChiefMinister directed the DCs of the flood prone districts to prioritize theirtasks and submit the list of projects requiring immediate attention to thefinance department for sanctioning of the funds.
He also directed the DCs to undertake desilting andcleaning of drains in consultation with the Water Resources Department. He saidall such works should be taken up immediately and it should be ensured thatthey are completed before the onset of the monsoon seasons.
The Chief Minister also asked the officers to ensure timelyand proper cleaning of city drains to prevent water logging in urban areas.
While reviewing the status of reservoirs and dams in theState, the Chief Minister expressed concern over the existing low levels ofwater, which he said was the lowest in the past 40 years.
Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan underscored the need to carryout the necessary works with a holistic approach and also explore thepossibility of executing works under MGNREGA and other Government Schemes.
The meeting was informed by Financial Commissioner RevenueViswajeet Khanna that Rs.130 crore had been earmarked in the Disaster ResponseFund (SDRF) to meet any exigency arising out of floods, thereby providingrelief to the affected people as compensation in lieu of damage caused to thestanding crops, houses, cattle, besides loss to life and property.
The meeting was also attended by Water Resources MinisterSukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, Principal Secretary Finance KAP Sinha, and PrincipalSecretary Water Resources Sarvjit Singh, besides Deputy Commissioners.