Ranchi, March 12 Jharkhand Water Resources Minister Hafizul Hassan vowed on Thursday to provide water to every farmland in the state, and said that his department would try to achieve in five years the work that could not be completed in the last 50 years.
The minister outlined the government's plans and achievements, and provided information on upcoming projects in the state.
"I strongly support the grant demands for my department, as the government will strive to complete the work that could not be completed in the last 50 years in the next five years," said Hassan, without elaborating.
Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar in November 2000.
"Water is the foundation of life, and where water is available, the path to development and prosperity opens up. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the government is continuously working for the overall development of the state," he added.
During the discussion on a cut motion, the minister said, "Mere speeches are not enough; formal recommendations and proposals are also necessary for projects. The government is committed to expediting the completion of pending projects."
The minister announced that the Bal Pahari Gande Mega Irrigation Scheme will provide irrigation facilities to approximately 37,000 hectares for farmers in Giridih, Dhanbad, and Jamtara districts.
"In addition, work will be carried out on the Chara Ulha Pipeline Irrigation Scheme for the Arki and Murhu blocks of Khunti district," he added.
He further said that the Haipala Mega Irrigation Scheme in Simdega and the Patamda-Boram Mega Irrigation Scheme in East Singhbhum district are also in advanced stages of execution.
"Approximately 95 per cent of the work on the first phase of the Sikiya and Masalia irrigation schemes has been completed," he claimed.
The minister also questioned the BJP-led central government on the issue of financial arrangements.
"While the central government previously had a greater share in major irrigation projects, now the state government is shouldering a greater financial burden from its own resources," he added.
The minister reiterated that the government is fully committed to providing water to every farm.
Later, the grant demand for the water resources department was passed by the assembly by voice vote.
Earlier, opposition BJP MLAs staged a demonstration outside the Jharkhand assembly, claiming injustice to farmers over the “slow pace” of paddy procurement and alleging that the government is not increasing the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy.
Later in the day, Health and Food Supply Minister Irfan Ansari told reporters outside the assembly that the decision to ban the playing of DJ music during Ramnavami processions was not against any community but was done in compliance with the Supreme Court and Jharkhand High Court orders.
He also announced that he would take part in the Ramnavami procession in Hazaribagh, as he has great reverence for the festival, but would not allow the playing of DJ music.
He also rejected the BJP’s allegations over the delay in paddy procurement and claimed that they were not interested in the betterment of farmers as their party in the Centre had "crushed the farmers' agitation".