Soz to visit state on Sep 12

Agartala, Aug 30 (UNI) Union Water Resources Development Minister Saifuddin Soz is arriving on September 12 on a two-day visit to the state.

A senior official of the Water Resource Department told UNI that Mr Soz will visit Sabroom and Belonia in South District of Tripura.

''The Minister will inspect the various projects taken up by the state Government,'' informed the official.

He said Bangladesh Water Resource Minister Hafizuddin is also expected to accompany Mr Soz during his visit.

He alleged that following Bangladesh Government's opposition, as many as 14 lift irrigation projects were not functioning in both the sub-divisions and the local farmers were facing immense problems.

'' Due to Bangladesh's opposition many drinking water schemes and flood protection embankment schemes are also on the hold. The high power lift irrigation scheme at Amlighat in Belonia Sub-division, which was constructed at a cost of about Rs one crore, is also not functioning,'' said the official. The Belonia town embankment and Amjadnagar embankment had to be shut down due to the same reason,he added.

Various lift irrigation projects were started at the Muhuri river in Sabroom sub-division and in the Pheni river in Belonia sub-division at the initiative of the water resource ministry. But the projects could not see the light of the day due to the ''opposition'' raised by the Bangladesh Government. Moreover, tension prevails along the two riverine borders.

The Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) has in the past resorted to indiscriminate firing in the region causing panic among the locals.

UNI PD KK DB1707