Srinagar, Dec 8: The Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, Tuesday pulled up the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority for slow pace of Dal lake conservation, an official handout said.
 Expressing his concern, Tara said the Central Government was liberally funding the project but the LAWDA was maintaining a slow pace on its execution.
 “Even Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh during his recent visit to the state mentioned the importance of Dal Lake and UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, has also evinced keen interest to restore the pristine glory of Dal Lake and other water bodies,” the Minister was quoted as saying to the LAWDA officials during his visit of the lake.
 “He warned that any laxity on the part of any officer/ official in implementing the instructions, directions and guidelines being issued regarding the preservation and conservation of Dal Lake will not be tolerated at any cost,” the handout added.
 The Dy CM asked the authorities to speed up cleaning and setting up of STPs and procuring machinery.
 He instructed them to engage 800 skilled labourers for cleaning the lake manually and sought a report within week.
 At Foreshore Road,   Tara asked the Vice Chairman, Irfan Yasin, to complete the retaining wall and other works within 15 days.
 Tara was accompanied by VC, SDA,  Kifayat Hussain Rizvi, Deputy Commissioner, Me’raj Ahmad Kakroo, Additional Commissioner, Ishtiyaq Ahmad Ashai, and engineers form various departments.
 Later, interacting with mediamen, Tara said the government had identified 7500 kanal land for rehabilitation of Dal dwellers.
 He said 700 plots have been carved out and are ready.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 8 Dec 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 8 Dec 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 9 Dec 2009 00:00:00 IST