Question : FLOOD CONTROL

(a) the name of the flood prone areas in the country which face the fury of floods every year;

(b) whether any expert Committee has been appointed or is proposed to be appointed to suggest ways and means for minimizing the frequent occurrence of floods in these areas and to deal with problem of floods in other parts of the country;

(c) if so, the details thereof along with the recommendations made by the said Committee so far; and

(d) the steps being taken/proposed to be taken by the Union Government in pursuance of these recommendations?

THE MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRI HARISH RAWAT)

(a) In 1980, the Rashtriya Barh Ayog (RBA) had assessed the area of 40 mha in the country lying in 21 States and one Union Territory. Subsequently, a Committee constituted under the Chairman, Ganga Flood Control Commission (GFCC), Patna in February’ 2006 identified a total of 39 districts in the country as flood prone. The details of these 39 districts are given in Annex-1.

(b) to (c) A number of Expert Committees had been set up by Government of India in the past for study of the flood problem in various parts of the country and to suggest ways and means for minimising frequent occurrence of floods. Recently, the Government of India constituted a Task Force on Flood Management and Erosion Control in 2004 which recommended immediate, short term and long term measures of flood management and erosion control in NE region and Ganga Basin States. The summary of recommendations of Task Force 2004 are given in Annex-2.

(d) The subject of Flood Management falls within the purview of the State Governments and the role of Union Government provides support to the State Governments which is technical, advisory, catalytic and promotional in nature. The Union Government has also been providing central assistance to the State Governments for effective flood management in critical areas. Based on the recommendations of the Task Force 2004 on Flood Management/Erosion Control, the Government of India launched a Flood Management Programme during XI Plan for providing central assistance to the State Governments to enable them to undertake works related to flood management/ erosion control and anti-sea erosion. Under this Programme, a central assistance of Rs.3566 crore was provided to the various States during XI Plan.