Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 29 2009:
Four more River Lift Irrigation (RLI) schemes constructed by the Minor Irrigation Department under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBS) have been inaugurated at different parts of Mayang Imphal Assembly Constituency today thus raising the total number of RLI schemes inaugurated after declaration of drought in the State to 11 .
Seven RLI schemes have already been inaugurated in different parts of Bishnupur district like Heiyaikol, Salan Konjil, Uchan Makhong, Uyung Makhong, Khuga Wangma Taba, Ithai Khunou Purnima Mapa and Laikhong Kangjam Tomba Mapa on June 25 .
Four more RLI schemes were inaugurated today at Komlakhong, Phoubakchao, Tera Makhong and Chabung Company of Mayang Imphal Assembly Constituency during a function attended by Agriculture Minister N Loken, MLA of Mayang Imphal Assembly Constituency Dr Kh Ratankumar who is also the chairman of MANITRON and Chief Engineer of Minor Irrigation Department N Shyambabu as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.
Officials of the Minor Irrigation Department were also present at the occasion.
The four newly inaugurated RLI schemes is expected to provide irrigation facilities to over 120 hectare of paddy fields in the area.
Manipur river and Imphal river are the intake points of these four RLI schemes.
However, inspite of inaugurating 11 RLI schemes one after another with the stated objective of bailing out farmers from the drought situation prevailing in the State, how the Water User Committees set up by the farmers would be able to effectively maintain these schemes constructed each at an estimated cost of Rs 1.5 lakhs is still a big question in the backdrop that out of 150 RLI schemes constructed in the State only 80 of them are functional today.
Speaking at the inaugural function, Agriculture Minister N Loken observed that although the general public hardly knew in the past about the significance of the Minor Irrigation Department, they are now fully aware of the activities of the Dept after it has taken up a series of drought mitigation programmes.
This is a fortunate thing for the Dept.
Pointing out that water is an essential commodity that need to be preserved properly, the Minister also called upon the people for preservation of water resources.