Govt approves 267 checkdams to mitigate farmers woos

Ranchi, Jan 12 (PTI) Jharkhand government todayapproved Rs 290.02 crore to construct 267 ''checkdams'' with anaim to meet future water requirement for irrigation in theface of back-to-back drought-hit years.

The cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Arjun Munda,sanctioned the projects which would be constructed in variousplaces under Dumka and Ranchi range of the irrigationdepartment, Cabinet Secretary A P Singh told newsmen here.

As many as 59 ''checkdams'' would be constructedserially at a cost of Rs 55.33 crore while another set of 187check dams would be built with an estimated cost of Rs 208.3crore. The third set of 21 check dams would cost Rs 26.39crore.

In a separate approval, the cabinet sanctioned Rs29.31 crore for micro irrigation with Rs 14.48 crore beingspent this fiscal itself.

Jharkhand reeled under severe drought during lastmonsoon.