4 yrs on, water recharging plants lying non-functional

Due to heavy usage of groundwater, its level has declined in many parts of the region. Five years ago, the state government, in association with NABARD, had set up water recharging plants at different places near canal banks. One such unit was set up at Rasulpur village near Tarn Taran. It is proving to be a white elephant as despite its completion, the unit has not been made operational. The plant was set up to recharge the receding water table in the area.

The government had spent a whopping Rs 3 crore on the project. Sources in the department reveal that there is no plan to make it operational as yet. Under the NABARD project, these plants were set up near canal beds so that excess water in canals could be used for recharging the water table. The project at Rasulpur was commenced in July 2014 and completed in December 2014. 

A total of 30 borewells were dug under the project. After four years, senior government functionaries are unaware of the project. A few days ago, when Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Sandeep Rishi was contacted to know the future of the project, he too expressed his ignorance. He referred this correspondent to Irrigation XEN Mahesh Singh, but he too couldn’t tell anything. At the same time, a similar type of project was set up in Patti subdivision of the district that too is lying non-operational. 

Protest against IOC  

LPG consumers are up in arms over the transfer of their dealer. Around 2,000 customers of the Indian Oil Corporation in Tarn Taran have been transferred to a Bhikhiwind dealer. The Bhikhiwind gas agency is at a distance of 40 km from here. Customers say they have been transferred without their consent. 

Harmandeep Singh Sarhali, Parveen Kumar, Satwinderpal Singh Plasaur, all representatives of the Khalra Mission Organisation (KMO), said the company transferred their connections against the norms. The aggrieved parties said they would move the consumer court. Meanwhile, agency owners said it was the decision of higher authorities.

Contributed by Gurbaxpuri