Question : IRRIGATION CAPACITY IN JHARKHAND



(a) whether only 4 per cent land in Jharkhand is irrigated?

(b) if so, the reasons therefor; and

(c) the steps proposed to be taken to improve the irrigation capacity of the State?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRI JAI PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV)

(a) The Net Irrigated Area in Jharkhand is about 8% of the total cultivable area.
(b)& (c) Irrigation being a State subject, the responsibility for planning, funding and implementation rests with the State Governments as per their financial resources and according to their own priorities. However, the Union Government, with a view to assist the States to complete ongoing irrigation projects provides Central Loan Assistance (CLA) to the States under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP). Under the programme, CLA amounting to Rs.66.248 crore has been released to the State upto the end of March 2004.