iRaj govt approves loan to repair, renovate IGNP canal

The Rajasthan cabinet today approved a loan of Rs 3, 291 crore for the repair and renovation of the Indira Gandhi Canal Project (IGNP).
Following a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, state PWD Minister Yunus Khan said the detailed project report (DPR) for the work has been prepared and loan will be taken from the New Development Bank.
The Rajasthan Irrigation Department and the IGNP board had sent a loan proposal, which the chief minister has approved in principal, he said.
"It is for the first time that such a big amount has been approved for repair and renovation of the canal," Khan said.

The work on the project will start in October and will be completed in two years, he said.
The minister said the entire canal network will be renovated and strengthened. This includes 60 km of the main and 52 km of the feeder canal and repairs to 800 km of the canal, he said.

The canal has a capacity of 17,500 cusec but due to leakage, it has reduced to 9,000 cusec. Similarly, the feeder capacity has reduced to 11,000 cusec, Khan said.
"Due to leakage, water did not reach the tail end of the canal. In the monsoon, excess water was flowing into Pakistan. After the repair these issues will be resolved," he said.

In addition to it, funds will also be used for 'sem' affected areas such as Hanumangarh and Ganganagar. Around 7,000 hectare of land is affected, where water will be removed to make land fertile, he said.
The cabinet also relaxed norms under the promotion and assured career program scheme.
Earlier, employees with more than two children were not entitled for the scheme for five years after their recruitment.
The cabinet reduced the limit to three years. The relaxation will be given to employees who joined after June 1, 2000.
The chief minister also reviewed the Jal Swavlamban Yojana and directed district in-charge secretary and the minister concerned to visit districts every month for two days.

The ministers were also directed to sit at Secretariat from Monday to Wednesday and hold regular public meetings at home and office.