Govt. unveils measures to mitigate drinking water crisis

CM says existing waterbodies will be revived, new ones explored

March 08, 2017 07:17 pm | Updated March 21, 2017 01:05 pm IST

With Tamil Nadu staring at the worst-ever drought in the past 140 years, the State government has unveiled a range of measures to be executed during the summer to mitigate drinking water crisis.

Inaugurating 1,098 projects, implemented on an outlay of ₹235.61 crore in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari districts in a function organised in Palayamkottai on Wednesday, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said the government had proposed to desilt waterbodies and irrigation channels and create new water sources with public participation on an outlay of ₹100 crore.

A sum of ₹350 crore had been earmarked for ensuring adequate supply of drinking water to rural areas. For quenching the thirst of urban residents, ₹160 crore would be spent through TWAD Board.

The board and urban civic bodies would revive the existing waterbodies and explore new ones. Public Works Department had been entrusted with the task of recharging groundwater table by executing new projects at a cost of ₹25 crore.

Mr. Palaniswami said the government had started disbursing crop loss compensation amounting to ₹2,247 crore. “We’ve already commenced this exercise, which will benefit 32,30,191 farmers. Unemployed farmhands and small and marginal farmers will be bailed out through Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, which has been increased from 100 days to 150 days,” he said.

Referring to the continuing attacks on Tamil fishermen, he said the State government would be a true friend of fishermen by protecting their welfare. Over 2,500 fishermen, who were detained by the navies of various countries, had been freed in the past.

Killing of Thangachimadam fisherman Britjo could not be accepted, he said, adding he had ordered to give ₹5 lakh as compensation to his family.

“I contacted the Prime Minister through a letter urging him to exert pressure on Sri Lankan government to put an end to the killing of Tamil fishermen. Subsequently, the Centre has sought an explanation from the island nation about the killing of Britjo. We’ll continue to take all efforts to ensure the safety of our fishermen,” Mr. Palaniswami noted.

The Chief Minister said the State government was giving utmost priority to implementing the announcements made by Jayalalithaa in the Assembly under Rule 110.

Nanguneri MLA H. Vasanthakumar submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister urging him to expedite the work on Tamirabharani – Karumeniyar – Nambiyar linking project and revive Nanguneri Hitech Park.

When reporters asked Mr. Palaniswami if the much-delayed river-linking scheme would be expedited, he merely said: “All development schemes will be implemented in Tamil Nadu.”

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