Expecting less rain,state sanctions only 28% of funds needed for flood control

While the drainage department has set June 30 as the deadline to complete the works,the government is yet to release the funds.

In most districts,drains (spread over a total of 1,500 km) needs to be cleaned. Moreover,several flood prone sites need repair and strengthening. “But the amount sanctioned is not even sufficient for cleaning drains,leave strengthening the infrastructure. Now,we will spend the money according to priority. While some will be spent on strengthening of bundhs on rivers,the rest will be used to clean the drains,” said a senior department official said.

In 2008,2010 and 2011,Doaba and Malwa regions had witnessed severe floods,which not only claimed lives but also damaged thousands of acres of crops. Blocked drains and weak bundhs close to rivers were the major reasons behind the floods.

This year,gor strengthening Dhussi Dam on river Satluj,Nawanshahr and Jalandhar districts will spent Rs 2.10 crore and Rs 1.66 crore respectively (total Rs 3.76 crore) against their demand of about Rs 10 crore.

Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Shruti Singh said,“An estimate of Rs 6.50 crore was sent to the state government by the irrigation department to strengthen the Dhussi Dam. Out of it,Rs 1.66 crore has been approved. This money will be spent on priority basis.”

“As many as Rs 1.50 crore will be spent on strengthening Dhussi Dam falling in Phagwara division. Similarly,Rs 16 lakh will be spent as a part of flood prevention measures in Ismailpur and Fatehpur villages of Shahkot division,” she added.

“Apart from spending money on priority works,flood control rooms have been established and 119 sensitive villages along with the Dhussi Bandh have been identified in Nawanshahr,” DC Tanu Kashyap said.

When contacted,Chief Parliamentary Secretary (Irrigation and Drainage) Sohan Singh Thandal said: “Less funds have been approved against the demand as now,it rains less in Punjab.” He,however,quickly added: “This does not mean that flood control works are not being taken up. We are first taking up sensitive areas on priority basis.”