Chandigarh, January 8: As part of the Punjab government’s initiatives on giving the villages of the state a facelift, the work of renovating the ponds in the villages under Mission Sanjha Jal Talab is going on in a Mission Mode.
Disclosing this Punjab Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that during this financial year, while 883 ponds have been renovated by the department through Seechewal and Thappar Models, while renovation of old water ponds has also been carried out through MGNREGA scheme under Mission Sanjha Jal Talab on a war footing level.
The Cabinet Minister said that the department has identified a total of 1862 ponds in the state under the Mission, out of which work has already been started at 1026 places. He said that renovation works of 504 ponds have been completed, while work is underway at 522 projects.
He said that in order to monitor the progress of these projects, the Joint Development Commissioner of the Rural Development and Panchayat Department conducts VC with the ADC (D) of all the concerned districts every week.
‘Mission Sanjha Jal Talab’ Campaign is being reviewed regularly by the Additional Chief Secretary Rural Development and Panchayat Department. He said that the renovation of the ponds is being carried out rapidly and positive outcomes are coming out regarding the progress of these projects.
Mr. Dhaliwal said the department has set a target of renovating 150 ponds in every district under the Mission Sanjha Jal Talab. “Instructions have been given to the regional authorities that only large ponds with an area of at least one acre and a capacity of 10,000 cubic meters of water should be taken under this project, he said adding that the goal of making the environment clean and green by planting primitive plants of the land such as Neem, Banyan and Pipal around the ponds under this project is also being fulfilled.
He said that GO MGNREGA, NMMS and Area Officer Mobile App is being utilised on a massive way for meticulously monitoring these projects, while GO Tagging is also made mandatory of every project to bring more transparency in the work.
Mr. Dhaliwal asserted that the aim of the Punjab government is to make Punjab a green, prosperous and developed state. He said that efforts are being made incessantly by the Department to realise the dream on ground.
He said that along with other development works in the villages under the MGNREGA scheme, emphasis is also being laid on water conservation.
