State govt sanctions Rs 25 cr for irrigation projects in hills

EOI, Darjeeling, 31 July 2014: Keeping with its softened stance, the state government has decided to hand over Rs25 crore to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration for implementing various irrigation schemes in the Darjeeling hills.

State Water Resources Investigation and Development minister Soumen Mahapatra, on his maiden visit to the hills, today held a with GTA officials and the MLAs of Darjeeling and Kurseong apprising them about the state government’s initiative. The minister also handed over Rs2 crore to the GTA as initial payment.

“The number of marginalised farmers growing cardamom, ginger and paddy is high in the hills. They need support to enhance their produce. Taking this into consideration, the state government has decided to grant Rs25 crore for minor irrigation activities. I am handing out Rs2 crore to the GTA to start the project in the three sub-divisions and the remaining funds will follow soon,” said Mahapatra.

According to the minister, 75 schemes and more than 2,500 hectares of cultivable land will be covered under the project. Mahapatra did not divulge the details and only said work is to get underway starting next month and must be completed by March of next year.

“The estimated time for completion is one financial year, the one ending in March 2015,” said Mahapatra.

The minister said the state government has also held talks with the World Bank seeking funds for implementing other irrigation projects. “We have had talks with the WB who is willing to provide Rs50 crore for irrigation activities in the hills. However, it will be the responsibility of the GTA to submit appropriate proposals to the WB if it is to avail of the funds,” he added.

GTA officials welcomed the state government’s move and its focus on the irrigational needs of the hills. GTA sabhasad Arun Sinji, who received the initial amount from the minister, said,

“It is heartening to see the state government taking the GTA into confidence, as this meeting reflects. We received Rs2 crore from the state government, which is part of the first phase allotment of Rs10 crore. The rest of the amount will be handed over in phases through the Hills Affairs department.”

The sabhasad also reminded that the matter pertaining to funds for irrigational activities had been taken up quite a while also with the state government.

“We were pursuing the issue of procuring funds with the World Bank as our district is the only one yet to receive such funds. Now, our farmers will benefit and also help in developing the community,” said Sinji, adding the meeting with Mahapatra was positive.