Question : FUNDS TO STATES FOR FLOOD CONTROL



(a) whether the Government has taken any concrete steps to control floods in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the funds allocated by the Union Government to States to implement flood related schemes, State-wise; and

(d) the progress made in this regard alongwith the details of utilisation of funds so far?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES (PROF. SAIF-UD-DIN SOZ)

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

STATEMENT REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 139 TO BE ANSWERED IN THE LOK SABHA ON 27.02.2006 REGARDING FUNDS TO STATES FOR FLOOD CONTROL

(a)&(b) Flood throughout the world cannot be fully controlled. It is to be managed to best of ability on technical merit of the problem from place to place. However, flood Management being within the purview of States, the schemes for flood control are planned, funded and executed by the State Governments. The role of Central Government is technical, catalytical and promotional in nature. UPA Government gave special emphasis on this issue in the National Common Minimum Programme.

Central Government has also been initiating various measures for assisting the States in the management of floods. Ganga Flood Control Commission for Ganga Basin States constituted in 1972 prepared Comprehensive Plans for Flood Management for all the 23 river systems of Ganga. Likewise, Brahmaputra Board which started functioning at Guwahati in 1982 prepared Master Plans for Flood Management for Brahmaputra, Barak and its major tributaries. These plans have been forwarded to concerned State Governments for implementation.

The National Water Policy 2002 has recommended for preparation of basin wise Master Plan for flood control and management providing therein adequate flood cushion in reservoir projects having overriding consideration of flood control in reservoir regulation policy. It has further emphasised on non-structural measures like regulation of settlements and economic activities in flood plains as well as modernization and expansion of flood forecasting activities.

In order to mitigate the damages from floods, a nationwide flood forecasting and warning system, as a non — structural measure, has been established by the Central Water Commission which issues flood forecasts at 173 stations in the country of which 145 stations are for river stage forecast and 28 for inflow forecast. For upgradation of the Flood Forecasting Network, a scheme at estimated cost of Rs.51 crore has been approved by the Government of India. For long term management of floods also the Government of India have been taking effective steps. In this regard agreement has been reached with Nepal for survey, investigation and preparation of Detailed Project Report for Sapta Kosi High Dam Multipurpose Project and Sun Kosi Storage Cum Diversion Scheme for which a Joint Project Office was opened in Nepal in August 2004. The Government of India had also approved implementation of Pagladiya Multipurpose Project in Assam in 2001 at a cost of Rs. 542.90 crore (Revised tentative cost Rs. 1069.40 crore) which has flood control as a major benefit.

Government of India has also been providing Central assistance to the State Governments to take up critical anti erosion / flood management works. A scheme amounting to Rs. 195.63 crore (central share) was approved during the 10th Plan (2004-07) for Ganga Basin States including the works to be executed by Farakka Barrage Project Authority in its extended jurisdiction. Similarly a scheme of Rs. 150 crore has been approved for North Eastern Region including Sikkim, North Bengal. Brahmaputra Board has also executed anti erosion works worth Rs. 21.91 crore. Another scheme amounting to Rs. 41.28 crore has been approved to be fully funded by the Government of India for the protection of Majuli Island. Governments of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are being provided financial assistance for maintenance of Gandak and Kosi embankments (Nepal portion), which they execute after every flood season. Assistance is also being rendered to Bihar for the scheme namely, “Extension, raising and strengthening of embankments for rivers Lalbakeya, Kamla, Bagmati and Khando”.

(c)&(d) The details of funds allocated by the Ministry to the States during 10th Plan to implement flood related schemes and the progress made in this regard along with the details of utilization of funds are given in Annex.I

Annex.I

Details of funds allocated by the Ministry to the States during Xth Plan to implement flood related schemes and the progress made in this regard along with the details of utilization of funds

(Rs. in crore)
Sl Name of State Funds Funds Funds . allocated released utilized No

1. Assam 81.00 20.568 6.37 2. Andhra Pradesh 5.45 4.50 1.50 3. Arunachal 15.03 Nil Nil Pradesh 4. Bihar 177.36 76.21 61.97# 5. Himachal Pradesh 2.32 1.00 Nil 6. Jharkhand 2.30 Nil Nil 7 Manipur 7.60 2.12 Nil 8. Meghalaya 4.50 Nil Nil 9. Mizoram 4.50 0.60 0.60 10 Nagaland 4.33 1.2015 NA 11 Orissa 13.13 4.75 1.50 12 Sikkim 9.00 2.16 NA 13 Tripura 15.04 1.50 1.302 14 Uttaranchal 4.00 2.95 1.00 15 Uttar Pradesh 51.21 29.66 23.02 16 West Bengal 72.12 25.78 20.52#
# Including state share of Centrally Sponsored Scheme of `Critical anti erosion works in Ganga Basin States” .