Cabinet approval on cards
By: Ibni Maqbool
Srinagar: The Rs 1623 crore ambitious plan for flood management of river Jhelum and its tributaries would be part of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Flood Management and Border Areas Programme” for the period 2021-26.
The Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti has informed the administration of J&K Union Territory that the project would be part of the Flood Management and Border Areas Programme(FMBAP) for 2021-26.
“The Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti has informed that the scheme has been included under centrally sponsored scheme FMBAP 2021-26. Action for seeking cabinet approval has been initiated. Approval is expected approximately after two months,” reads a document in possession of The Precious Kashmir.
The project was granted technical clearance on December 9, 2019 by technical advisory committee (TAC) of the Central Water Commission. Subsequently, the project was accorded investment clearance on February 19, 2020 but the same was communicated on July 30, 2020.
According to documents, the Jammu and Kashmir government has submitted a budget proposal for Rs. 684.61 crore to the Union Ministry for release of funds. This includes Rs 227.44 crore UT share.
It is worthwhile to mention that the project is part of the Prime Minister’s Development Package for Jammu & Kashmir. The development package worth Rs 80000 crore was announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a joint PDP-BJP rally at SK Stadium, Srinagar on November 7, 2015. Out of 53 projects being executed under the package in J&K, 21 have been completed while nine are being completed in the ongoing financial year.
