(a) the funds allocated to States under the Wasteland Development Programme during the last three years and current year, year-wise and State-wise;
(b) whether the States have completely utilised the funds allocated under the said programme;
(c) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(d) if not, the reasons therefor, Statewise; and
(e) the reaction of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI)
(a): The details of State-wise funds released under Integrated Wastelands Development
Programme (IWDP) for the last three years and the current year are annexed.
(b) & (c) : All the States have not completely utilized the funds released under IWDP.
The State-wise unspent balances available as on 31-03-10 are at Annexure.
(d) & (e): The main reason for the unspent balances with the States is the provision that
a project is entitled to claim next installment when more than 50% of the funds released under
the previous installment have been utilized. The Department of Land Resources has awarded a
study titled ‘Comprehensive study of impacts of investment in watershed projects’ to National
Institute of Rural Development (NIRD), Hyderabad during 2010-11. As per the Terms of Reference
of the study, the NIRD has, inter alia, been requested to investigate into the pattern of
expenditure and explore the remedial measures for unspent balances with the States.