34 tanks dredged in Vellore district

Preparatory work is on in 63 lakes, says district collector

Fringe benefit: Farmers who wish to take silt from tanks can apply to the jurisdictional taluk office in Vellore district.

Thirty four tanks have been dredged under the State government’s “Kudimaramathu” scheme, and works to dredge another 63 lakes during 2017-2018 are under way in Vellore district, Collector S.A. Raman said.

Speaking at the mass contact programme conducted at Mahendravadi in Nemili taluk on Wednesday, he said the scheme was being implemented by the State government with participation from farmers. While dredging work had been completed in 34 tanks, preparatory work was under way to take up the work in another 63 lakes in the district, according to a release.

Silt given away

So far, 6.2 lakh cubic feet of silt from 370 tanks has been provided free of cost to 4,500 farmers in the district. There are about 2.5 lakh farmers in Vellore district, and those who wish to take silt from the tanks can submit the application at the taluk office, he said.

He added that individual toilets were being built for all houses in rural areas. The district’s target of building 83,000 toilets should be achieved by the end of December this year.

Mr. Raman gave away welfare assistance estimated at ₹23,26,950 to 174 beneficiaries on the occasion. He handed over orders for assistance for elderly to 20 persons, accident relief to 19 persons, smart ration cards to 20 persons and, sewing machines to seven beneficiaries, the release said.