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Deficiencies in planning, preparation of detailed project reports, land availability are major hindrances for executing few accelerated irrigation benefit programme (AIBP) projects in Karnataka.
Workshop
Speaking at a workshop on ‘process of project appraisal and monitoring in Central Water Commission (CWC)' for southern States, Mr M.K. Sinha, Chief Engineer - Yamuna basin and project monitoring cell of CWC, said “Karnataka has so far received about Rs 5,000 crore of Central assistance for 13 projects, thereby, creating an irrigation potential of 6.5 lakh hectares.” “The review of performance of AIBP in the State revealed in addition to deficiencies in planning and preparation of detailed project reports (DPR), in certain areas, land availability is also a deterrent,” he added. The Central Government launched AIBP in 1996 for accelerating the implementation of major and multi-purpose irrigation projects which were beyond the resource capability of the States and to complete ongoing major and minor irrigation projects.
Central aid
Under the AIBP, a total Central assistance of Rs 43,425 crore was given to 23 States for 268 projects, thereby, creating an irrigation potential of 60 lakh hectare up to December 2010 from 1996-97. Mr Sinha, said in south India, about 55 projects came under AIBP. Of these, 19 have been completed and 36 are on-going.
“Since few projects come under the purview of water tribunals, States are unable to complete them. In this case, two States should come together and try to help complete the project keeping the larger picture of food security in mind,” suggested Mr Sinha. In the country, 553 major and minor irrigation projects spilled over from 10{+t}{+h} Five-Year Plan to 11{+t}{+h} Five Year Plan. “In the process, about 82 projects got completed and the balance is still on going,” said Mr Sinha.
Mr S.K. Srivastava, Chief Engineer, CWC, said “CWC has roped in IIM-Lucknow as independent body to evaluate techno-economic feasibility of irrigation projects. As many projects are getting stuck at various stages of implementation.”
“Also to apprise the State Government departments of changes initiated at CWC to monitor and clear project proposals, there is an urgent need for holding workshops. CWC has planned five workshops this year,” he added.
CWC recently held one for north eastern states, today we are holding for southern states. At a later date northern (Bhopal); eastern and western (Nagpur) regions are to be covered.
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