Probe ordered into shelving of projects

THE STATE Government has ordered an inquiry into circumstances leading to discontinuation of drip irrigation projects in Jhabua district.

THE STATE Government has ordered an inquiry into circumstances leading to discontinuation of drip irrigation projects in Jhabua district. 

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Samajwadi Jan Parishad, a conglomerate of NGOs working among the tribals, and Samajwadi Party MLA Dr Sunilam had raised the issue of discontinuation of drip irrigation projects in Jhabua district and burden of debt on farmers, who were lured into taking loan for irrigation of their fields under these projects.

The victim farmers had even written to Governor Dr Balram Jakhar seeking permission to end their lives as the banks concerned had been threatening and harassing them for loan recovery. 

The State Government has now constituted a two-member team comprising deputy commissioner (development) Indore division and superintendent engineer, Rural Engineering Service (RES), Indore. 

Terms of reference decided for the team include whether standards were followed in implementing the projects, whether the projects were implemented according to requirement and design, why the projects did not work and if it was possible to revive them.