Question : WATER PROJECTS IN BODOLAND

(a) whether the Government has taken any concrete initiatives to help complete the long pending major and minor irrigation projects within Bodoland Territorial Areas District (BTAD) in Assam including the Champamoti and Dhansri major irrigation projects;

(b) if so, the steps taken so far in this regard and the year-wise details for the central funds allocated over the past five years;

(c) whether the Government has taken any concrete initiatives to help construct flood management projects on the rivers and tributaries within Bodoland Territorial Areas District in Assam (BTAD);

(d) if so, the steps taken so far in this regard including the central funds proposed to be allocated for the projects; and

(e) if not, the reasons therefor and the plan and policy of the Government to ensure timely completion of the pending projects?

THE MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND WATER RESOURCES ( SHRI PAWAN KUMAR BANSAL)

(a) & (b) Irrigation being a State subject, the planning, execution and funding of irrigation projects are carried out by State Governments as per their own priorities. Government of India provides financial assistance under Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) for Major/Medium Irrigation (MMI) projects and Surface Minor Irrigation (MI) schemes.

Details of Central Assistance (CA) released under AIBP to ongoing Dhansiri irrigation project, Champamati irrigation project and Borolia Irrigation project of Assam during last five years is given at Annexure-I.

A total of 231 Surface MI schemes (23 during 2008-09 and 208 during 2009-10) in Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD) in Assam at an estimated cost of Rs. 462.752 crore have been included under AIBP upto March, 2012. State Government has reported that out of this, 48 MI schemes (20 out of 23 of 2008-09 and 28 out of 2009-10) have been completed upto March, 2012. Details of Central Assistance (CA) released under AIBP to Surface MI schemes is given at Annexure-II.

(c), (d) & (e) In order to assist the State Governments in Flood Management and erosion control, the Government of India setup Brahmaputra Board in 1980 for addressing the Flood and River Bank erosion problems in the North Eastern States including Assam.

The Government of India is providing financial assistance to States through plan scheme i.e. “Flood Management Programme”. During XI Plan, four schemes under BTAD were assisted and total Rs.20.17 crore were released as per the details at Annexure-III.