KATHMANDU, JANUARY 9
Minister of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal laid the foundation stone for the construction of a canal named 'Khokana Rajkulo Muhan' amid a function here today.
The construction of the project at local Nakkhu River in Lalitpur Metropolitan City will use new technology. The Khokana Rajkulo irrigation system, operational for around 300 years, has been managed by chiefs of the village. Now the Khokana Rajkulo management committee is overseeing it. The project is expected to irrigate around 10,000 ropani land at Chhampi, Thecho, Bungmati, Bhaisepati and Khokana, directly benefiting around 7,000 people from approximately 2,000 households.
Responding to demands of the local people, the ministry has allocated Rs 13 million for the conservation of the water source, and Rs four million for the construction of a canal for the fiscal year 2021-22.
The minister urged local people to earn through agricultural produce by saving fertile land instead of plotting them for sale. Stressing the need to increase production through collective farming, the minister said, "We together do collective farming. I also want to do farming."
Stating that Khokana, primarily known for mustard oil, is also rich in culture and agriculture, she directed the authorities concerned to complete the project in time.
"I will manage monitoring of the construction work by consumers.
You (consumers) should become active at the local level."
On a different note, she underscored the need to raise the living standard of the people for the journey towards socialism.
A version of this article appears in the print on January 10, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
