(a) whether the Government has formulated or is going to formulate any schemes for strengthening the irrigation system in the country including Jammu & Kashmir and Bihar;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the time by which these are likely to be implemented;
(c) whether the Government is formulating any scheme for optimum utilisation of irrigation system in Jammu & Kashmir as well as in rural and hilly regions; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION & PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)
(a) & (b) Water Resources Projects are planned, funded, executed and maintained by the State Governments themselves as per their own resources and priority. In order to supplement their efforts, Government of India provides technical and financial assistance to State Governments to encourage sustainable development and efficient management of water resources through various schemes and programmes such as Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) etc. under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
During 2016-17, ninety-nine (99) on-going Major/Medium irrigation projects (Including 4 irrigation projects of Jammu & Kashmir (J & K) having Ultimate Irrigation Potential (UIP) of 61.44 th. ha. and 2 irrigation project of Bihar having UIP of 37.27th. ha.) under PMKSY- AIBP, having ultimate irrigation potential of 76.03 lakh ha. and estimated balance cost of Rs.77595 cr. have been prioritized in consultation with States, for completion in phases up to December, 2019 along with their Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM) works. Funding mechanism through NABARD has been approved by the Government for both Central and State share.
Further, two National Projects namely Ujh Multipurpose project and Shahpur Kandi project envisage irrigation benefits of 31.38 th.ha. and 32.17 th.ha in the State of J&K.
(c) & (d) Command Area Development and Water Management (CADWM) works in the above prioritized projects envisage enhanced utilization of irrigation system being created through them. Under the CADWM scheme funds are provided for construction of field channel and for creation of infrastructure for micro irrigation systems. DPRs of 84 of the above projects with CCA coverage of 42.55L.ha. have been included under CADWM programme(Including three of Jammu & Kashmir with 2.46 th. ha. of CCA coverage).
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