Jajpur: The government plans hundreds of Minor Irrigation Projects (MIPs) and check dams every year. The Irrigation Department claims it is providing irrigation to 1,450 hectares in rabi and 6,500 hectares in Kharif in Jajpur district through minor irrigation projects.
But the ground reality is different. MIPs are able to irrigate only 50 per cent of the fields, which is much less than what is claimed. Around Rs50 crore was spent for repairing and executing 194 MIPs and check dams in fiscal 2017-18.
The main reason for the failure of irrigation projects is the unholy nexus between department engineers and contractors, who pocket most of the money and do poor quality work.
The policy of the government to accept all reports of the Irrigation Department regarding projects has resulted in unsatisfactory results.
Farmers like Narendra Singh Samant, Sunu Singh Samant, Saroj Barik and Mantu Singh Samant said, “The capacity of check dams should be increased so that they can store more water. The unholy nexus between engineers and contractors is pocketing most of the funds. This must be stopped.”
Reacting, MIP Engineer Dillip Kumar Dash said, “The shutters of the Mangalpur MIP were stolen twice in the last five years. As a result it is able to store only much less water. But farmers have greatly benefitted from the project during the Kharif season.”
PNN