Survey for installing handpumps: IPH Minister

Shimla, Feb 23 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) Minister Kaul Singh Thakur today said the government will conduct a survey of the entire state in view of the drought like situation for the installation of handpumps, wherever necessary.

Replying to a question by Rohit Thakur (Congress), Karam Dev Dharmani (BJP) and associate member of Congress Legislative Party from Gehrwin, Biru Ram Kishore, he said the department would ensure that the handpumps, which were out of order, were repaired at the earliest.

Mr. Thakur informed the House that 1,859 handpumps were installed during the period between March 31, 2003 to January 31, 2006 and Rs 25.12 crore were spent on their installation.

At present, 511 handpumps were out of order, out of which 201 were completely damaged, he said, adding that the 217 handpumps, which can be repaired, would be set right within one month.

He said that handpumps, which were out of order in tough areas, would be repaired by June this year.

Mr Thakur said 93 handumps, which were non-functional because of low water level, would automatically start functioning when the water level rises.

MORE UNI AS HS TM GC2104