State gets ₹460 crore to tackle flood
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 22 2023:
Keeping in view of the frequent flood situation the state generally faces during the monsoon season, the union ministry of Jal Shak ti sanctioned Rs 460 crore for taking up pre-emptive measures to prevent monsoon flood under Flood Management Border Area Programme (FMBAP), said water resources minister Awangbow Newmai.
Addressing a press meet at his Lamphelpat official residence, here, on Wednesday, the minister said that the fund was sanctioned to prevent monsoon flood by strengthening river banks in critical and flood prone areas.
Out of the total fund, Rs 52.38 crore was released for the first phase on March 29, 2022 out of which Rs 44.51 crore has been utilised as bill payment after assessing work progress.
Utilisation certificate for the same has been submitted to the ministry after monitoring survey conducted by the ministry officials.
There is also Rs 5.82 crore as state matching share in the first phase, he said.
While informing that in the second instalment, Rs 76.63 crore was released in September 2022 and the amount is yet to be transferred into the department's account, Awangbow confided that preparations for the second phase have been completed.
There is no question of the department withdrawing Rs 90 crore from the fund as claimed in some media reports, he clarified and also urged the media houses to publish such reports after verifying the facts from the department while stating that publishing false report would demoralise the sincere officials of the department.
He further said that promotion of staff in the department will be processed as per the situation.
Water resources department commissioner T Ranjit and senior engineers of the department were also present during the press meet.