UP govt for far-reaching flood action plan

Lucknow, Sep 8 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Minister Naseemuddin Siddiqui today stressed upon devising a far-reaching action plan to control recurrent floods in the state.

He also underlined the need for making dams 'flood proof' to prevent flood fury in future.

''There is adequate provision in the natural calamity relief fund, which can be utilised for flood rescue and relief operations.

This year, Rs 34 crore has been allocated by the state government to this end,'' Mr Siddiqui informed.

The minister directed all chief engineers to prepare flood related projects worth Rs 10 lakh and send it to the respective DMs.

If the project exceeds Rs 10 lakh, it has to be forwarded to the state relief commissioner after the DM's recommendation.

Earlier, he presided over a review meeting with senior officials of the irrigation department.

The minister warned against dereliction of duty in rescue and relief measures and said any laxity would not be tolerated and stringently dealt with.

''A team of the irrigation department must to be deployed at every embankment. A round-the-clock vigil ought be kept during late hours as most of the embankments in east UP were damaged during the night,'' he underlined.

Mr Siddiqui further ordered the officials to start in full swing the work of canal desilting by September 15.

UNI