THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT(SHRI SUBHASH MAHARIA)
(a) and (b) Four hundred twenty six projects were sanctioned under Integrated Wastelands Development Programme (IWDP) from 1992-93 to 2000-2001. Out of these, 128 projects were sanctioned under the old Guidelines upto 31.3.1995 and 298 projects were sanctioned under the new Guidelines for Watershed Development from 1.4.1995 to 31.3.2001.
A total number of 73 projects have been completed and 57 projects have been foreclosed. The remaining 296 projects are at various stages of implementation. Under the new Guidelines, the projects are implemented over a period of five years and funds are released in seven instalments on projects to project basis. First instalment is released at the time of sanction of the project. Each subsequent instalment is released on receipt of utilization certificate, quartely progress report and audited statement of accounts of the previous financial year as well as utilization of more than 50% funds of the last instalment released. After sanction of the projects, activities relating to community mobilization like the formation of Watershed Associations/Watershed Committees, Self-Help Groups, User Groups, sensitization of the people living in the project areas and formulation of detailed action plans are taken up which take considerable time. Actual implementation of the project starts after the completion of above activities and approval of the action plans by the ZP/DRDA concerned. Frequent transfers and postings of the ZP/DRDA/Project Officials also affect the pace of implementation of the projects. With the result, some of the projects do overrun the project period.
(c) Mid-term evaluations are generally got carried out for IWDP projects by independent evaluators/Institutions. A total number of 148 evaluation reports of these projects have been received so far.
(d) to (f) During the year 2000-2001, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India (oofice of the Principal Director of Audit, Economic & Service Ministries, New Delhi), had taken up audit of the 115 projects sanctioned under IWDP prior to 1.4.1995. These projects were sanctioned under the old Guidelines which were sectoral in nature and community involvement was not so elaborately prescribed. These projects were mostly implemented by the line departments of the State Governments. The CAG observations generally refer to delay in completion, balance funds with the projects authorities and status of the assets so generated ect. The Department is in regular correspondence with the State Governments for furnishing their comments to the observations of CAG. In fact, considering the necessity of better community involvement in the project implementation, the new Guidelines for Watershed Development were brought into effect from 1.4.1995 and the same were further revised during 2001.
