(a) whether the Government has launched National project for Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies used by farmers, especially in dry land, remote and tribal areas in the year 2005-2006;
(b) if so, the area that identified and the estimated cost of the project;
(c) whether any pilot project has been started thereunder; and
(d) if so, the States and districts covered under the pilot project?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRI JAI PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV)
(a) to (d) The Government has launched a Pilot Scheme for `National Project for Repair, Renovation & Restoration of Water Bodies directly linked to Agriculture` in January, 2005. The water bodies having culturable command area of more than 40 hectares and upto 2000 hectares are included under the pilot scheme in one or two districts each in States. The total culturable command area of 2.99 lakh hectares is to be restored with an estimated cost of Rs. 296.8705 crores under the scheme. The scheme has been approved in 24 districts of 14 States. States and districts covered under the Scheme is annexed.