Question Hour
By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 14 Jun: In response to a starred question by Member Virendra Kumar, Irrigation Minister Satpal Maharaj disclosed that a total of 142 agricultural tubewells meant for irrigation were at present non-functional in the state. The Irrigation Minister was responding to questions by the Members during the Question Hour on the first day of the Vidhan Sabha Budget Session today.
In response to a supplementary question, Maharaj admitted that due to non- functional tubewells, about 12,343 hectares of agriculture land could not be irrigated. In response to another supplementary question, he responded that, of the non functional-tubewells, one tubewell at Tanshipur in Roorkee was being revived, and another in Nainital district. In addition, a proposal is being processed for construction or revival of 27 tubewells in the state. He claimed, also, that a proposal is being prepared for revival of another 100 non-functional tubewells in the state and this would be implemented as per the budget available for the same and as per the need of the state.
In response to a starred question from Khajan Das, Irrigation Minister Satpal Maharaj admitted that retaining walls in some places along the rivers Rispana and Bindal in Dehradun had weakened and proposals were being prepared for their strengthening and reconstruction. He, in particular, mentioned reconstruction and upgradation of retaining walls in Indira Colony and Chukhuwala. In addition, 5 proposals for reconstruction and upgradation of retaining walls near DL Road, Mohini Road and Shakti Vihar Colony were also under process and they would be taken up as soon as the budget is made available for them.
In response to a starred question from Furkan Ahmad of BSP, Culture Minister Satpal Maharaj said it is beyond his authority and jurisdiction to declare Piran Kaliyar shrine as the Fifth Dham of the state and that no such proposal was under consideration of the government. He, however, added that the Piran Kalyar Mela held annually at the Dargah in Roorkee was listed by the Culture Department and the government provided funds for organising the event on a regular basis.
In response to another starred question from Furkan Ahmad, PWD Minister Satpal Maharaj admitted that the bridge over the Ganga Canal that connected the Piran Kaliyar shrine to the city is damaged and, therefore, there is no traffic movement on it. He, however, added that as an alternate solution, another bridge had been constructed 100 metres downstream to connect the shrine to the city and the traffic is already plying on this bridge.
