(a)Whether the Union Government has received any representation/
request from State Governments for financial and other assistance to
tackle drought;
(b) If so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
(c) He reaction of the Government thereto?
(a)Whether the Union Government has received any representation/
request from State Governments for financial and other assistance to
tackle drought;
(b) If so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
(c) He reaction of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (A. NARENDRA)
(a) to (c): Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP) is being implemented
in 16 programme states with the objective of drought proofing by rejuvenating
the natural resource base on long term basis. Under DPAP, Ministry of Rural
Development sanctions new projects,each of 500 hectares,as per the Guidelines
of Watershed Development and funds are released to ZPs/DRDAs in installments
over the project period of five years. The first installment of central funds is released
with the sanction of new projects and the programme being demand driven, subsequent
installments are released on receipt of specific proposals from the State Government/
ZP/DRDA along with Utilisation Certificate, Audited Statement of Accounts etc.
The Ministry routinely receives proposals seeking fund release against on-going projects
from the States/District Agencies.While releasing the central installments, it is ensured
that ZP/DRDA has utilised more than 50% of funds released to it earlier. Accordingly, an
amount of about Rs.280.00 crore has been released to the programme states during the
year 2004-05 till date.