VALPOI
WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar on Wednesday said augmentation and improvement of water supply to agricultural lands will be undertaken on top priority to cater to the needs of the sector.
Speaking at a public meeting as part of his visit to Sattari, Shirodkar said the government has laid thrust on strengthening infrastructure for water irrigation and appealed to the people to take benefit of irrigation and take up agriculture on a large scale to be prosperous.
“The government is investing in the construction of bandharas, dams in the State to provide adequate water for cultivation purposes. We appeal to people to take up agriculture on a large scale by utilising the water from all these sources,” said Shirodkar.
Responding to complaints from farmers over water shortage for agricultural activities, the minister stated that water supply would be made available to farmers from November 15.
Farmers also complained of erratic water supply due to power issues in Poriem, Keri and Morlem.
The chief engineer explained to the minister that it was not possible to start the pumps on account of the erratic power supply.
Engineers from the electricity department present on the occasion said they have submitted proposals to lay separate underground cables in this regard and if the proposal is approved, complaints of low voltage supply would be resolved.
There was also a request to develop the Ajoba Tali at the Ajoba temple in Sattari. Farmers said water from the tank is used for agriculture and horticulture. They claimed that if the lake is developed, abundant water can be used for agriculture and horticulture in Keri. A proposal will be submitted to Shirodkar in this regard.
There was a discussion on taking up the dam work at Charavane, which was closed many years ago. The farmers said water scarcity in Thane and Mauxi villages would be resolved with this project. Shirodkar said he would have a detailed discussion with Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane on the matter.
Sarpanchas from various panchayats in the Poriem constituency interacted with Shirodkar during his day-long tour.
‘Morlem treatment plant will serve 5 panchayats’
VALPOI:
WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar has agreed to consider a separate water treatment plant at the Valvanti river in Morlem, which would address water scarcity in the five panchayats of Keri, Morlem, Poriem, Honda and Pissurlem areas of Poriem constituency.
Poriem MLA & GDFC Chairperson Deviya Rane discussed the matter with Shirodkar and requested that land owned by WRD be given for the project.
This request was accepted by Shirodkar and he gave instructions to officials to prepare a project plan in this regard.
Rane said the problem of water in various panchayats of Sattari would be resolved after the proposed water treatment plant at Morlem.
Not here for entertainment, minister rebukes officers
VALPOI:
WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar rebuked officers for failing to address the complaints of farmers.
The issue arose after farmers complained to Shirodkar about a delay in providing water for agriculture and said the condition of irrigation canals had completely deteriorated and had led to a wastage of water.
Annoyed with his officers after farmers claimed that their requests had been repeatedly ignored, Shirodkar reprimanded the officers and said he did not want to hear these complaints again.
“I have not come here for entertainment, we will have to take action against the officers concerned,” warned the minister.
