CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal asked the Chief General Manager NABARD Punjab Region Mr. Naresh Gupta to expedite the process of sanctioning funds to initiate Rs. 100 crore projects to upgrade the existing Drainage system in the water logged areas of the state.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's office said that Mr. Badal was presiding over a high level meeting with a team of NABARD led by Mr. Naresh Gupta here late last evening to review various projects of Rs. 661 crore under different NABARD schemes for the state.
Expressing concern over the menace of water logging in major part of the South West Punjab i.e. in districts of Sri Muktsar Sahib, Fazilka and Faridkot besides, Kahnuwan in Gurdaspur District, Mr. Badal emphasized on the need to strengthen the existing drainage system in these areas for effective redrerssal of the water logging.
Taking part in the deliberations Mr. Gupta assured the Chief Minister that NABARD would sanction Rs. 100 crore projects for addressing the issue of water logging effectively. Mr. Gupta also apprised the CM that NABARD could have disbursed more funds but limit of Rs. 495 crore fixed under Section 293 (3) of the Constitution of India for the State was the limiting factor. He requested that the State Government may pursue with the Planning Commission to get the same enhanced up to Rs. 600 crore.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Finance Mr. DP Raddy, Principal Secretary Irrigation Mr.Sarvesh Kaushal and Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar.