The Mulayam Cabinet today decided to set up an Irrigation Development and Flood Control Commission, in addition to its existing Flood Control Board. The move is being seen as an attempt to accommodate its ally, the RLD, which has reportedly been hankering for its MP, Anuradha Chowdhary, to be accommodated in the UP government.Chowdhary was earlier the State Irrigation Minister. But after her election as the Lok Sabha member from Kairana, she resigned her MLA’s seat from Baghra, and consequently her ministership. Since then, RLD leader Ajit Singh is reported to have been persuading Mulayam to accommodate her in his government.The possibility of Chowdhary being nominated the chairperson of the commission is being rated high. The last such commission was set up way back in 1983. Singh stressed ‘‘the commission head should be a person who has experience in the related field’’, referring to Chowdhary’s earlier portfolio.The commission would monitor ground-water, involve farmers in irrigation management, construction of canals, upgradation of flood control, generate extra income. Some functions overlap with those of the Flood Control Board.
