Question : WATER FOR IRRIGATION

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRI JAI PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV)

(a) As per the Land Use Statistics for 2003-04 compiled by Ministry of Agriculture, the net irrigated area of the country is about 55.1 million hectare. The source-wise details are as under:

i	Canals	15.14	Million hectare
ii	Tanks	1.94	Million hectare
iii	Wells	35.26	Million hectare
iv	Other sources	2.75	Million hectare

(b) Irrigation being a State subject, irrigation projects are conceived, planned and implemented by the respective State Governments as per their own priority. However, Government of India provides central assistance to the State Governments for completion of on-going irrigation projects under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP). Further, a pilot scheme for Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies directly linked to Agriculture has also been implemented. Government of India also provides support under Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Command Area Development and Water Management (CAD & WM) with a view to bridging the gap between irrigation potential created and potential utilized. The Government has taken several measures to improve the irrigation facilities. The National Common Minimum Programme of UPA Government provides for time bound completion of the on-going irrigation projects and also stipulates stepping up of public investment in irrigation in a significant manner. Irrigation is an important component of Bharat Nirman Programme. Further, the AIBP criteria have been relaxed and procedures simplified to cover more projects under this programme. The draft Approach paper for XI Plan also proposes to double the rate of growth of irrigation and to improve water management, rainwater harvesting and watershed development.