Puducherry, February 27 Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, K Kailashnathan, said that a massive scheme involving an investment of Rs 500 crore was being prepared to strengthen irrigation canals in Karaikal, a constituent of the union territory located at the tail end of the Cauvery river basin.
Addressing farmers and farm labourers after handing over the benefits of various schemes of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in the neighboring village of Ariyur on Thursday night, the Lt Governor said that "The Karaikal region receives seven tmc of water from the Cauvery river system. However, the irrigation canals, which were laid several decades ago, were not properly maintained, and as a result, the Cauvery water was not effectively utilized in the region."
He said that the government was now preparing a massive scheme involving Rs 500 crore to strengthen the canals so that farmers could draw water from the river for their farming operations.
Kailashnathan said that during his recent visit to Karaikal to participate in the annual convocation of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), he had requested the institute to take up projects under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scheme to improve the irrigation canals in Karaikal and to desilt the water bodies there, so that farmers could continue with their farming activities.
"Rejuvenating the canals will help recharge the subsoil water," the Lt Governor said.
"The government is also taking steps to prepare a Rs 500 crore massive project to rejuvenate and develop the irrigation canals. These canals, which were laid several decades ago, were in a practically dilapidated condition," Kailashnathan said.
The Lt Governor and Chief Minister N Rangasamy handed over power tillers, tractors, and other farm equipment to farmers, and also distributed the benefits of welfare schemes to farm labourers on the occasion.
Speaker R Selvam, Agriculture Minister 'Theni' C Djeacoumar, legislators, leaders of farmers' associations, and officials of the Agriculture Department were also present.