Srinagar, Sept 28: Reiterating that the Command Area Development (CAD) Department has greater role to augment the irrigation facilities in this hilly State, Minister for Agriculture,Ghulam Hassan Mir has called upon the officers to cover more and more areas under the farmer friendly programmes.The minister was reviewing the progress of ongoing development projects at a high level meeting here this morning.Principal Secretary Agriculture production, Mohammad Iqbal Khandy, Director Command Area Development, Kashmir, Tariq Ahmad Mir and other senior officers were also present in the meeting.“When water situationis worsening day by day, the importance of CAD in agriculture and horticulture becomes pivotalto plan the irrigation water facilities in such a way that every area and sector gets due share”, Mir said.
He directed them to cover all un- attended areas like Kupwara, Karnah, Uri, Machil, Keran, Gurez, Tral and Shopian as these areas have dire need to implement such programmes to enhance the agriculture production.
In order to channelize the water resources for making maximum land arable in Jammu and Kashmir, the department has widened its activity across the state, the Ministerasserted.
The meeting discussed threadbare the progress of all the projects in valley and informed the minister that the work is on on eight on going projects at an estimated cost of Rs.126.20 crore to cover 48969 Hac of agriculture land. Out of 48969 Hac, 16790 Hac have been covered at a cost of Rs 31.70 cr up to March 2010, the meeting was informed. These projects include Dachnipora-Rajpora, Dehgam- Veerinag,Rafiabad, Zanageer, Ahaji Beerwaha, Kehmil Kupwara, Arin Bandipora,and Igophey.
Mir was informed that 3-new projects were also taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 114.83 Crore to cover 34078 Hac which include Ferozpor Tangmarg, Sonwari and Tongri projects besides work is also apace in two more SS projects of Lower Jehlum and Sindh catchments would cover 12526 Hac at an estimated cost of Rs. 32.25 cores.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 28 Sep 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 29 Sep 2010 00:00:00 IST