(a) whether sea and river erosion are threatening the
ecological balance in many areas of West Bengal;
(b) if so,the steps the Government proposes to take to prevent the same;and
(c) the total amount spent during the last three years and the current year in this regard?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRI JAI PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) Flood Management being State subject, the flood management and
erosion control schemes are planned,investigated and implemented
by the State Governments with their own funds.The assistance
rendered by the Central Government is mainly technical,catalytical
and promotionalin nature.
The State Government of West Bengal is taking up anti erosion works
from funds available under state plan and additional central assistance
provided by Union Government through Planning Commission, Ministry of
Water Resources and Finance Commission.The state government is also
taking up anti-erosion works by arranging loan from NABARD.In order
to provide financial assistance to the state governments during XI
Plan, a state sector scheme,namely,`Flood Management Programme`
amounting to Rs.8,000 Cr has been approved `in principle` by the
Cabinet on 02.11.2007.The scheme aims to provide central assistance
to the state governments for river management,flood control,anti-erosion
works, anti-sea erosion works, drainage development,flood proofing,flood
prone area development programme,restoration of damaged flood management
works, etc. in critical reaches,which have secured all mandatory clearances.
(c) As per the information provided by the Government of West Bengal,
the total amount spent in the last three years and in the current year
for execution of anti-erosion schemes from different sources of funding
are as under:
Financial Year Amount (Rs.in Crore)
(i) 2005-06 36.54 (ii) 2006-07 41.35 (iii) 2007-08 98.03 (iv) 2008-09 32.78 (till date)