Mysore, July 11 (DM) – Deputy Commissioner Harsha Gupta has instructed Irrigation Department officials to free the district lakes of encroachments and thereby mark their boundaries and to complete tree saplings plantation drive this year itself under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

He was speaking at the district-level Implementation Committee meeting called to discuss the Union Water Resources Ministry’s project on water resources augmentation, revival and renovation with local involvement.

"The boundary of all lakes should be identified and clearly marked before taking up renovation works under the project. The Revenue Department officials have already been instructed to extend all help. Also, following the identification of lake boundary, at least three rows of sapling should be planted alongside under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the process should be completed this year itself," he explained.

The District Committee Member Secretary and Minor Irrigation Department executive engineer H.B.Mallappa, who briefed the meeting, said a total of 31 lakes are being reviewed in the district at a cost of Rs.5.5 crore, out of which 5 lakes are under the control of Minor Irrigation Department while the rest 26 are controlled by the Zilla Panchayat and other departments.

"The lakes in Mysore, Hunsur and Periyapatna, considered as drought-prone taluks, have been selected under the lake development project which involves works such as de-silting, canal repair and enhancing their retaining-capacity," he said.

The DC expressed displeasure over the sanction proposals sent without obtaining the District Committee’s approval and directed the officials to arrive at a final decision by holding deliberations with the District Committee as well as with the NGO.

He also instructed to send future proposals only after discussions with partner organisations and the committee. ZP engineering department and other officials attended the meet.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore