(a) whether the Government has introduced any new schemes apart from the existing ones for taking up new irrigation projects in rural areas;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise including Tamil Nadu;
(c) if not, whether the existing schemes cater to the needs of rural farmers; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) to (d): Irrigation is a state subject and planning, execution and funding
of the irrigation projects is within the purview of the concerned State Government
as per their own priority. No new scheme has been introduced by the Central
Government for taking up new irrigation projects in the rural areas. However,
Ministry of Water Resources has recently launched a scheme of Repair, Renovation
and Restoration of Water Bodies in the country including Tamil Nadu. Under this
scheme, about 1 lakh water bodies having a Culturable Command Area (CCA) of 9 lakh
hectare at a cost of Rs.4000 crore including central share of Rs.1250 crore would
be covered. The main objective of the scheme are:
# Comprehensive improvement of selected tank systems including restoration.
# Improvement of catchment areas of tank.
# Community participation and self-supporting system for sustainable management for water bodies covered by the programme.
# Ground Water Recharge.
# Capacity Building of communities, user groups standing committee for Panchayats and State Government/Central Government Agencies concerned with the planning, implementation and monitoring of the project.
# Increase in storage capacity of water bodies.
# Improvement in agriculture/horticulture productivity and increase in recharge of ground water in downstream areas of water bodies.
# Environmental benefits through improved water use efficiency; irrigation benefits through restoration of water bodies, supplementation of the groundwater use and promotion of conjunctive use of surface and ground water.
# Development of tourism, cultural activities, etc.
# Increased availability of drinking water.
Besides, Ministry of Water Resources is also implementing the Accelerated
Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) which extends financial assistance to the
States for creation of irrigation potential by completion of identified ongoing
irrigation projects. As per the present pattern of assistance under the AIBP,
the Centre is providing grant to the irrigation projects as an incentive to the
States for creating irrigation infrastructure in the country. The AIBP has to now
meet the demands of the Bharat Nirman programme under which a major thrust on
irrigation is included. AIBP also provides assistance to the irrigation projects
under the Prime Minister`s Package for agrarian distressed districts. Apart from
the above, Ministry of Agriculture is also implementing the Micro Irrigation
Scheme in the country which aims at to improve the irrigation efficiency.