(a) whether the Government is aware that due to inadequate irrigation facilities, the fertile land of Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh has not been used optimally;
(b) if so, whether the Government has any plan for irrigation in this area;
(c) if so, whether any irrigation schemes are being implemented in Mirzapur for the benefit of agriculture; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION; PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND TEXTILES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE). (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
(a) & (b) Water being a State Subject, identification of areas within their respective States requiring irrigation, formulation of Irrigation Schemes, their investigation, funding and implementation, is done by the State Governments as per their own priorities. The role of Central Government is catalytic and promotional.
(c) & (d) As per information available with this Ministry, a culturable command area (CCA) of about 1.6 lakh hectare is presently being irrigated in Mirzapur through existing canals (1242 km), reservoirs (9 Nos.), Bundies (28 Nos.) and small pump lift schemes (25 Nos.), thereby having a total annual irrigation potential of 1.39 lakh hectare.
Further, Bansagar Canal Project, Uttar Pradesh (UP) is being funded under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) of this Ministry. The project envisages getting water from Bansagar Dam constructed on river Sone to utilize 0.78 million acre feet (MAF) of water to irrigate 1.50 lakh hectare, including 0.75 lakh hectare of land in Mirzapur district in UP. The project is targeted to be completed by 2014-15. Further, this Ministry has no specific information regarding other irrigation schemes planned or implemented by Govt. of Uttar Pradesh.