Minister Pijush Hazarika Chairs High-Level Review Meeting of Irrigation Department Contractors in Dispur : No Compromise Will Be Made in Project Implementation: Asserts Minister Hazarika
Dalim Phulan
Hills Live News, GUWAHATI, September 10: Aimed at expanding irrigation coverage across the state’s agricultural lands and ensuring the timely completion of projects, a crucial review meeting was held today at the PWD Convention Centre in Dispur. Chaired by Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Shri Pijush Hazarika, the meeting was attended by senior departmental officials alongside registered contractors of the Irrigation Department.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Hazarika highlighted that despite 70 percent of the state’s population being dependent on agriculture, only 21 percent of cultivated land currently has irrigation coverage.
Emphasizing that delivering water to farmlands is the department’s primary duty, he announced that the Irrigation Department has set an expenditure target of ₹6,000 crore over the next five years—a massive increase compared to the ₹1,400 crore spent during the previous five-year period.
He further informed that a major proposal under Externally Aided Projects (EAP) has been submitted to the Central Government to boost irrigation infrastructure. To ensure timely maintenance and repairs (M&R), funds will be released to district offices in advance starting next year, and he urged field offices to fully utilize these allocations.
Taking a firm stance on project execution, Minister Hazarika cautioned contractors that the Irrigation Department exists to deliver tangible benefits to farmers rather than merely generate employment for contractors. He explicitly instructed contractors not to bid for or accept works if they cannot complete them within the stipulated timelines.
Asserting that no compromise will be made on work quality, the Minister simultaneously directed departmental engineers to process contractors’ bills without unnecessary delays.
The Minister directed engineers to conduct rigorous site inspections and strictly refrain from issuing completion certificates without physical verification. To reduce structural expenses while widening coverage, he advised engineers to minimize intake points in Lift Irrigation Schemes (LIS) and focus on increasing distribution points.
Reaffirming the state’s vision, Minister Hazarika stated that agriculture must shift away from being perceived merely as a livelihood for the poor toward high-value horticulture and commercial farming to boost farmers’ income.
He reiterated that irrigation projects must not be restricted by administrative district boundaries and should extend across contiguous agricultural zones wherever required.