Question : WATER IN CANALS

(a) whether the Union Government has made any provisions to ensure the supply of adequate quantity of water in the canals in order to provide irrigation facility to the farmers on time in the country;

(b) if so, the name of the agency which has been assigned the task of monitoring the implementation of the said provisions;

(c) whether the functioning of the said agency was reviewed by the Government and if so, the details and the outcome thereof and the steps being taken by the Government thereon; and

(d) whether the Union Government has any information on cleaning of canals in Pratapgarh region of Uttar Pradesh and if so, the details thereof?

THE HON’BLE MINISTER OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE AND WATER RESOURCES (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a) Irrigation Projects are taken up by the State Governments according to their own requirements and priorities. The role of Union Government is promotional and catalytic. However, for every Major/ Inter State Medium Irrigation Project, prior to its Investment Clearance by Planning Commission, the project is considered by the Technical Advisory Committee of Ministry of Water Resources. At that time, the water availability envisaged in the project is examined to ensure that the project is generally able to ensure the supply of adequate quantity of water in the canals.

(b) The onus lies on the irrigation project owners, which in most cases are the Water Resources Department of the State Govt. concerned, to monitor the implementation of the said provisions.

(c) In view of (a) and (b) above, question does not arise.

(d) Ministry of Water Resources does not maintain such information. Cleaning of canals is done by State authorities based upon their requirements and conveniences.