Question : IRRIGATION PROJECTS

(a) the details of the irrigation projects under the Accelerated Irrigaion Benefits Programme (AIBP) presently being implemented in the country and their present status;

(b) the ultimate irrigation potential likely to be achieved as a result thereof:

(c) the details of the funds allocated and utilesed under the programme during the last three years and the current year, State-wise, year-wise;

(d) the norms/guidelines of the Government to fund these projects; and

(e) the effective measures being taken by the Government to expedite completion of these projects?

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

(a)to(e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

Statement referred to in reply to part (a) to (e) of Lok Sabha Starred question No.381 regarding `Irrigation Projects` due for reply on 16.12.2009

(a) & (b): Details of major and medium irrigation projects under Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) presently being implemented are given in Annex-I and details in respect of surface Minor Irrigation (MI) schemes under AIBP are given in Annex-H. Ultimate irrigation potential planned to be achieved on completion of all the projects/ schemes is 123.56 lakh ha.

(c) Funds allocated under AIBP during 2006-07 to 2008-09 were Rs. 2098 crore, Rs. 3080 crore and Rs. 6600 crore respectively. The fund allocated during 2009-10 is Rs. 8000 crore. The releases made under the AIBP during 2006-07 to 2009-10 till date are Rs. 2301. 9722 crore, Rs. 5445. 7051 crore, Rs. 7598. 2213 crore and Rs. 3147. 3909 crore respectively. State wise break up of releases is given in Annex-III.

(d) A copy of the updated guidelines for the AIBP is given in Annex-IV.

(e) In order to expedite completion of the projects, the Ministry of Water Resources and Central Water Commission have established an extensive monitoring mechanism through Monitoring field offices, which monitor the projects under their respective jurisdiction in the light of guidelines established for the purpose. High level meetings with the senior officers of state governments are held for monitoring the progress and providing guidance to the project authorities for speedy completion of the projects, A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is signed with the state government in respect of each major/medium irrigation project and each MI project comprising a group of individual schemes containing year-wise physical targets of potential creation till its completion. The guidelines provide that central assistance under AIBP is released only on achievement of physical target by the state government in the previous year. The MOU also provides for target date of completion of the project. However, in cases where delay in execution of projects is beyond the control of the state government, extension of time is required to be sanctioned after the state government provides full justification for delay in completion of the project.