Farm ponds, repairs of tanks top priority to improve irrigation facilities, says Vizianagaram Collector B.R. Ambedkar

Vizianagaram Collector prioritizes farm ponds and tank repairs for improved irrigation under MGNREGA, benefiting villagers and farmers.

Vizianagaram Collector B.R. Ambedkar said that the development of farm ponds and repairs of existing tanks would be given the top priority to improve irrigation facilities in all remote areas of the district. He said that those works were being taken up under MGNREGA scheme which would also provide livelihood for thousands of villagers in different mandals of the district. Speaking to The Hindu in Vizianagaram, he said that the government targeted to provide irrigation facility for nearly 1.25 lakh hectares of land in the district in Kharif season.

According to him, the development of farm ponds and strengthening of existing tanks during summer season would enable farmers to store water in next rainy season. The removal of silt from major tanks is also being given top priority. Creation of new water channels is another task given for the concerned officials. The water facilities for cattle would be also created under NREGA programmes.

He said that the each labourer would get up to ₹307 as wage. As many elderly people are also attending for NREGA works, the collector directed officials not to allow works during 12 and 4 p.m. The works have to be taken up between 5.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. The work have to be taken up between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. during evening.