Manganese Ore India Limited (Moil) is going to start a CBSE school at an investment of Rs 600 million in the district while Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL) is establishing a manufacturing unit at Sakoli taluka, said union minister Praful Patel recently. He also said that a solar panel manufacturing unit will also come up in the district soon, according to a Times of India report.
Patel was felicitated by Congress MLA Anil Bawankar at Sihora (taluka Tumsar) for having facilitated the completion of Sondya Tola lift irrigation scheme. Ex-MP Keshaorao Paradhi was also present.
Highest investment in irrigation projects in India has been made in Bhandara district, with state and central governments providing funds to complete projects in the near future, said Praful Patel. He added that the UPA government is committed to create irrigation facilities for the economic empowerment of farmers while speaking at a felicitation function at Sihora.
The Sondya tola lift irrigation scheme was commissioned two years ago, but faced hurdles due to paucity of funds. Patel helped clear the political and administrative hurdles, allowing 8,633 hectares of agriculture land in 40 villages to be irrigated by scheme. Patel said that the Bawanthadi interstate irrigation scheme too is nearing completion, with gorge filling proposed to be completed this year.
“Farmers will get its benefits from 2013. The 32 year old project faced problems due to forest conservation act, rehabilitation of project affected persons of six villages and lack of funds. Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh were able to get it included in the central government scheme of accelerated irrigation benefit project, receiving Rs 6 billion for construction and increased package of Rs106.7 million for PAPs,” said Patel.
