(a) the unit cost per hectare under the Watershed Development Programme (WDP);
(b) whether the Government have decided to revise the Unit cost;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government have received any representations from the State
Governments including Andhra Pradesh for enhancement of the unit cost under the Programme;and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI SUBHASH MAHARIA):
(a) to (e) The cost norm for watershed development projects under the three programmes
namely, Integrated Wastelands Development Programme (IWDP), Drought Prone Areas Programme
(DPAP) and Desert Development Programme (DDP) has been raised to Rs. 6000 per hectare in
September, 2001 from the earlier cost norms varying from Rs. 3000 to Rs. 5000 per ha. after
considering representations from various States including Andhra Pradesh. The revised rates
have been made applicable to the projects sanctioned after 1.4.2000.