RANIA (Indo-Pak Border), June 15 — The Pakistan government has constructed a number of flood protection works to divert heavy flow of floods to Indian territory.

“The Indian government has to construct a number of river training works like spurs, studs and reventment from time to time to divert the heavy floods away from the main flood protection embankment and also to save several thousands acres of farm land and village ‘abadis’ from flooding”.

This was the gist of the official report of Drainage Department, submitted to the visiting Union Rural Development Minister, Mr Sunder Lal Patwa and Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister.

On this Chief Minister announced that the state government would construct as many as 24 bridges on drains, nullahs and Ravi to enable farmers of border belt to till their land across fencing and river Ravi. It would also help proper patrolling by the BSF along the border belt.

The river Ravi meanders along the Indo-Pakistan border for 230 km in Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts. The entire flow of Ravi and its tributaries like Ujh, Jallalia and Basantar etc flows down to the plains, causing heavy damages to the river-training works every year. The farmers of the area told the visiting Union Minister and the Chief Minister that they had been facing lot of problems, especially at the time of floods. On this, Mr Badal announced that he would redress the grievances of the residents of border belt on priority.

Mr Badal urged the Union Rural Development Minister to double the amount of Jawahar Yojana from Rs 50,000 to Rs one lakh for the people of border belt. He assured the people that the entire families of the farmers who have land across the Indo-Pakistan fencing would be allowed to go for cultivation. Earlier only one member of the family was allowed to enter the fencing gates by the BSF. Mr Badal said that for physical search of women, women of the border belt would be recruited in Home Guards.

On the demand of people, Mr Badal said permits for mini buses would be given to youths of border belt. He directed the Deputy Commissioner to organise pension camps so that old persons could get benefit from the government schemes.

The people complained to Mr Badal that they had been getting erratic power supply in border areas. One villager of Kakkar pointed out that the Chief Minister himself could realise the problems of border areas as there was power failure during his visit. On this, Mr Badal directed the Deputy Chief Engineer to install at least two transformers in the village within two days. He said in case of non-compliance of orders, he would be placed under suspension.

Giving his report, DIG, BSF, Mr H.S. Gill said that the jawans were under pressure of work as two battalions were shifted to J&K during Kargil conflict. He informed that 4.5 km of Indo-Pakistan fencing was being shifted to enable farmers to cultivate 1550 acres of land across river Ravi.