Question : NATIONAL IRRIGATION PROJECT



(a) whether some proposals for declaration of irrigation projects as National Projects have been recently received by the Government;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(c) the norms for declaration of irrigation projects as National Projects;

(d) the details of irrigation projects declared as National Projects including the estimated projects cost and the funds spent thereon, State-wise;

(e) the present status of progress of work on each of the National Projects for which the funds have been granted from Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) project-wise including Gosikhurd project; and

(f) the action taken by the Government on pending projects, project-wise?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRI VINCENT H. PALA)

(a): Yes;

(b): The details are given in Annex-I.

(c): As per guidelines for implementation of National Projects, the following are norms/ criteria for declaration of irrigation projects as National Projects

(i) International projects where usage of water in India is required by a treaty or where planning and early completion of the project is necessary in the interest of the country.

(ii) Inter-State projects which are dragging on due to non-resolution of Inter-State issues relating to sharing of costs, rehabilitation, aspects of power production etc., including river interlinking projects.

(iii) Intra-State projects with additional potential of more than 2,00,000 hectares and with no dispute regarding sharing of water and where hydrology is established.

(d): The details are given in Annex-II.

(e): Funds have been granted under Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme only to Gosikhurd Project of Maharashtra and Shahpur Kandi Project of Punjab. The Shahpur Kandi project has been provided central assistance of Rs.10.80 crore on 31-03-2010 and is in progress. The Gosikhurd project has been provided with central assistance of Rs.450 crore, Rs.720 crore and Rs.635.28 crore during 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 respectively and is in progress. The irrigation potential targeted for Gosikhurd Project for the year 2008-09 was 2600 ha of which, 2400 ha was achieved upto April 2009 and balance 200 ha by June 2009. Irrigation potential targeted for 2009-10 is 21817 ha against which, potential achieved during 2009-10 is 1750 ha.

(f): The project proposals have been examined and State Governments have been requested to take necessary action for meeting the guidelines for implementation of National Projects.