STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The digging of some of the Amrit Sarovars will start before August 15, 2022. The targeted 3,007 Amrit Sarovars in the state will be complete on or before August 15, 2023.
The Amrit Sarovar is a visionary project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav that marks 75 years of independence of India. In Assam, the Prime Minister launched the project on April 28, 2022, in the Karbi Anglong district.
According to sources in the Commissionerate of State Panchayat and Rural Development (P&RD) Department, the project plans to dig 75 ponds (Amrit Sarovars) in each district, and each pond has a maximum area of one hectare of land. The digging cost of each of the ponds is Rs 13 lakh.
The Department of Fishery is monitoring the digging activities of the project. Since it is a mega and time-bound project, the Fishery Department will use machines to dig the ponds. The funds for digging the ponds will come from Chief Minister Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana (CMSGUY).
With MGNREGA funds, the P&RD will go for a three-layer commercial plantation on the bank of each pond that will also have a community shed. Each pond will have strong fencing, an iron gate and a pole for flag hoisting. The department will illuminate the ponds with funds from the Finance Commission.
Despite the setback due to floods, the department is ready to start digging the ponds before August 15, 2022.
Besides water conservation, the mission aims to achieve livelihood generation through pisciculture and commercial plantation, women empowerment, etc.
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