(a) whether the Government propose to set up a fund with an amount of Rs.3,500 crore to extend financial assistance to the irrigation sector in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government have identified the sources to mobilise the funds for the purpose;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the heads under which loans/financial assistance is propose to be granted out of the above fund ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES
(SMT. BIJOYA CHAKRAVARTY)
(a) to (e) There is no proposal before the Government to set up
a fund of Rs.3500 crore to extent financial assistance to
the irrigation sector in the country. However, with a view
to supplement the Plan allocation so that more and more
land may come under assured irrigation, Government of
India is providing Central Loan Assistance (CLA) to the
State Governments to enable them to complete selected
ongoing major & medium irrigation projects under
Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) which was
launched in the year 1996-97. According to the latest
revised funding pattern with effect from the financial
year 1999-2000, the CLA is being released in 3:1 (Centre:
State) ratio to the Special Category States comprising the
North-Eastern States, hilly States of Jammu & Kashmir,
Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim as well as Kalahandi,
Bolangir and Koraput districts of Orissa whereas, the
ratio is 2:1 for other General Category States. So far CLA
amounting to Rs. 4026.14 crore comprising Rs.3963.43 crore
for major & medium projects and Rs.62.71 crore for minor
irrigation schemes has been released to various States.
Moreover, under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund
(RIDF) launched in 1995-96 and managed by NABARD, Rs.3500
crore was allocated during, 1999-2000 from the Banking
sector for RIDF-V for financing rural infrastructure
projects which include irrigation projects and flood
control. During this year 2000-01, the corpus of RIDF-VI
is proposed to be increased to Rs.4500 crore and the
interest charged on this lending is to be reduced by half
a percent.