Jammu: Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma, called on N N Vohra, J&K Governor, at Raj Bhavan, here today to discuss issues relating to the measures being taken for augmenting drinking water supply and irrigation facilities in various parts of the State. During their meeting, the Governor and the Minister discussed issues relating to the measures being taken for augmenting drinking water supply and irrigation facilities in various parts of the State to effectively meet the existing and the speedily emerging requirements in both these sectors. The status of utilization of the available resources under various Central schemes was also reviewed. Referring to the fast increasing demand for water to cater to the requirements of the Mata Vaishno Deviji Yatra, the Governor stressed the high importance of timely planning and timely executing new water supply schemes to meet the future requirements of fast expanding Katra town and its surrounding areas. The Governor also stressed the need of all the traditional irrigation systems and channels, particularly the Kuhls, being put in functional order to boost agricultural productivity. _____________________ RAFTING Jammu: International Rafting Cup to be held in district Doda to explore the adventure sports potential of the Chenab region. The week-long Jammu and Kashmir International Rafting Cup 2013 will be organised from February 22 to 28 by the J&K Tourism Department from Thathri to Pul Doda on Chenab river. "The event will go a long way in promoting tourism potential of the District and also prove a milestone in development of the District," District Development Commissioner Doda, Farooq Khan said. ________________________________ SUSPENSION Jammu: The state governemnt today suspended Chief Engineer among 7 officers for recent power crisis in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch due to failure of transmission towers. On the recommendation of inquiry committee constituted for assessing the reasons for failure of 132 KV transmission towers in Poonch and Rajouri, the Government today placed under suspension the In-charge Chief Engineer Procurement and Maintenance wing, Mohammad Qasim and 6 other officials, an official spokesman said tonight. The officials suspended included DPS Bali, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), Power Development Corporation (PDC)- Executive Engineer RGGVY, Rajouri Poonch, Nisar Hussain, AEE, Commercial Division Jammu, Rajiv Chopra, JE Store Division 2nd Jammu, Summit Puri JE, Electric Central Stores Jammu, Barkat Hussain JE, Jammu and Murir Hussain AEE, Division Batote sub-division Jammu. On January 18, snowfall damaged 18 towers of 132 KV transmission line in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch there plunging the area in darkness over one week.
