Ymbon seeks irrigation projects worth Rs 452 crore

NEW DELHI, July 11: Minister for Water Resources and Food & Civil Supplies, Comingone Ymbon on Thursday met Union Minister for Jal Shakti, CR Patil and submitted a proposal worth Rs 452.03 crore for 90 new surface minor irrigation projects in Meghalaya.
The project, covering a command area of 11,473 hectares, is estimated to benefit 11,547 families in the state, Ymbon told The Shillong Times after the meeting.
He also congratulated Patil for taking over the emerging ministry.
Ymbon explained that the hill state’s economy is primarily agricultural, engaging around 80 per cent of its total work force which is dependent on minor irrigation projects.
The primary agri-horticultural products of the state like rice, jute, potato, orange and other citrus fruits, bay leaf, betel nut, banana, plum, pear and pineapple depend on timely irrigation.
Meghalaya is mostly dependent on rain and surface water resources for irrigation purposes. Surface water is abundant but limited during the non-rainy season, he explained.
The Union minister assured that his ministry will consider this proposal for the state.