Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: The Jharkhand Assembly’s budget session continued on its second day with Question Hour in progress, where several MLAs raised issues related to rehabilitation, irrigation, and ration distribution, prompting responses from concerned ministers.
Chandil Dam Displaced Families Rehabilitation Issue Raised
Ichagarh MLA Sabita Mahato raised the long-pending rehabilitation issue of people displaced due to the Chandil Dam. She said that many affected families have still not been rehabilitated and claimed that no meeting on the matter has been held for the last two years.
In response, Water Resources Minister Hafizul Ansari said compensation is being provided and payments have been made at 13 locations, with the remaining cases also being processed. Sabita Mahato countered that only displaced people from 116 villages have received money so far, and demanded compensation for the remaining villages as well. The minister assured that payments would be made to everyone as per rules.
Dumri MLA Questions Irrigation Claims From Dams
Dumri MLA Jairam Mahato questioned the government’s claim that dams are being used for irrigation. He asked the minister to name even one village where irrigation is actually being done using dam water.
Water Resources Minister Hafizul Hasan replied that more than four lakh acres of land are currently being irrigated using dam water.
Farmers’ Land Used for Dams, But Water Given to Companies
Jairam Mahato raised a second concern, saying dams are built on farmers’ land, but the water is supplied to companies. He questioned why farmers face delays and hurdles in rehabilitation while companies get water without problems, and why there is discrimination against farmers.
The minister responded that the government is now focusing on constructing small ponds and aims to irrigate four lakh hectares of land by 2029-30. He also said work is underway on a new system where underground pipelines will be used to deliver water directly to farmers.
Ration Distribution Problems Due to Lack of Officers and Internet
MLA Hemlal Murmu raised issues related to the Food Supply Department. He said people are facing difficulties because block supply officers have not been appointed, and ration distribution in remote areas is affected because biometric verification fails due to lack of internet connectivity.
Health Minister Irfan Ansari responded that verification work is ongoing. On the biometric issue, he said the government has provided upgraded machines from 2G to 4G, and assured that food grains are being supplied on time.
