Uttarakhand / Rudraprayag : The 18 km long irrigation scheme of Jakholi block has been stalled for one and a half decade due to the apathy of the government and the leaders

18 km long Lastar left irrigation canal from Lastar river under Jakholi block has not been able to land on the ground even after eight years.  Now NABARD has also removed it from its panel, refusing to give funds for the construction of the scheme.  Whereas for the construction of the irrigation canal, the pipes purchased by the executing organization at a cost of about three crores are eating junk.  In the year 2008, the proposal of Lastar left irrigation canal was sent to the government for irrigation of 500 hectares of irrigated land in 60 villages of Silgarh, Badma and Bangar belt of Jakholi block.  The scheme was approved by the government on 26 March 2012.  Irrigation block Rudraprayag was made the executive body by sanctioning about ten crore rupees.  The construction of the canal was to be completed in five years, for which Rs 288.46 lakh was released in the first installment.  Then, while completing the land transfer process for the canal construction by the department, 24 lakh 83 thousand rupees of compensation were deposited in the forest department.  At the same time, 3400 meters of pipes were procured from 256.19 lakhs in different contracts.  Due to the construction of the canal, crop and vegetable production in the irrigated lands in the villages would have improved, along with improving the economy of many families, employment opportunities would have been created at the local level.  But even after eight years, the construction could not start, due to which 150 hectares of land of the cultivators has become barren due to lack of water.  At the same time, NABARD has refused to give funds, leaving the scheme out of the panel, due to which the Lastar left canal will no longer be constructed.