UP govt to instal new tubewells in drought-hit Bundelkhand

Lucknow, Feb 19 (UNI) The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to instal 87 new tubewells and repair 90 defunct tubewells in the drought affected Bundelkhand region of the state during the next financial year starting from April next.

The state government announced the enhancement of the annual maintainance fund for each tubewell in the state from existing Rs 12,000 to Rs 20,000.

Addressing a press conference here today, the newly appointed tubewell and minor lift canal department minister Jaiveer Singh said in the current financial year, the government would complete construction work for 106 tubewells in the Bundelkhand region.

''In view of the drought situation in Bundelkhand and the decreasing water level there, the government has also decided to make deep boring in all the new tubewells'', he said.

Presently over 31 lakh hectare of land was irrigated through 28366 tubewells, in the state.

Meanwhile, the minister reviewed the functioning of his department and warned eight Executive Engineers for not completing their target.

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