Jammu, Jan 14: Javed Ahmed Rana, Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment, and Tribal Affairs, on Tuesday instructed officials to expedite the completion of water supply schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission while also accelerating irrigation and flood control projects in Akhnoor.
The Minister was reviewing the functioning of the Jal Shakti and Forest Departments during his visit to the Akhnoor constituency, which also saw the participation of Minister for Sports, Satish Sharma, and local MLA Mohan Lal.
Rana underscored the importance of completing water supply projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission promptly to ensure that every rural household has access to tap water. He urged officers to speed up the execution of works and foster better coordination among various agencies involved, while emphasizing the need to maintain quality in the implementation of these projects.
The Minister also called for fast-tracking irrigation projects to enhance water availability for agriculture and emphasized that flood control projects should be completed without any unnecessary delays. He cautioned against delays in the execution of critical works, stressing the need for timely completion of all departmental projects.
Highlighting the government’s initiatives for soil conservation in the Kalidhar Range, Rana called for more focused efforts, particularly in light of challenges posed by climate change. He advocated prioritizing soil conservation along nallahs and undertaking afforestation efforts on barren patches in the Kalidhar Range. These steps, he said, are essential for environmental sustainability, helping prevent soil erosion, and promoting biodiversity.
The Minister urged increased public awareness about environmental and soil protection, calling for greater community involvement to achieve enhanced results. He also directed officers to formulate a plan to increase the forest cover in barren areas of the Kalidhar Range and promote afforestation by planting trees that could provide livelihood opportunities, foster sustainable development, and mitigate climate change.
During his visit, locals submitted memorandums and individual requests to the Minister, raising concerns about issues in the Jal Shakti, Irrigation & Flood Control, and Forest Departments. Rana assured them that the officers would collaborate with local MLAs to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for new works and the effective implementation of government schemes in the region. He also prioritized making defunct hand pumps functional to ensure the public does not face water scarcity.
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