(a) whether funds allocated to the State Government under Waste Land Development
Programme have been fully utilised by them;
(b) if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) the amount spent by each State out of funds allocated;
(d) whether any scheme for development of bar land into fertile land is proposed to
be sponsored the Union Government; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY Of RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI A. NARENDRA):
(a) to (e) The Department of Land Resources (DoLR) in tfo Ministry of Rural Development
is implementing ttK Integrated Wastelands Development Programme (IWDP for development
of non-forest wastelands/degrad lands on watershed approach w.e.f. 1-4-1995. IWDi is
a demand driven programme and no State-wise allocation of funds is made under
this programme. The details of funds released (State-wise) under the Programme
during the last three years (2002-G to 2004-05) and the current year (2005-06,
upta 25-4-2005), are given in the statement enclosed. The watershed development projects
are implemented over a period of 5 years and funds are released in five instalments on
project to project basis. First instalment is released at the time of sanction of a project
and each subsequent instalment is released after utilisation of more than 50% funds of the
last instalment release The total sum utilized is calculated after the completl` of the
projects. However, the release procedures ensure utilisation of funds released to the
States for the projects under the Programme.
There is no specific programme under implementation for development of barren land into
fertile land by the Union Government. However, the IWDP has components to develop/reclaim
wastelands and degraded lands by checking land degradation and putting such lands to
productive use.