(a) whether the Government propose to start any new Irrigation Projects to provide irrigation facilities to farmers;
(b) if so, the extent to which the problem of farmers is likely to be mitigated as a result thereof?
(c) whether the Government has announced any package for the farmers of Bhandara district of Maharashtra;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) by when this package would be given?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRI JAI PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV)
(a) & (b) Irrigation being a State subject the new irrigation
projects are planned formulated, executed and funded by the
State Governments out of their own resources and as per their
priorities. Irrigation projects benefit the farmers in the
command for improving their socio-economic status.
(c) to (e) Under the Backward Districts Initiative component
of the Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana, 132 districts are covered.
The main objectives of the schemes are to address the problems
of low agricultural productivity, unemployment and to fill
critical gaps in physical and social infrastructure. For each
district, Rs. 15 crore per district per year for three years is
released as grant. Bhandara district of Maharashtra is one of
the districts covered under the Backward Districts Initiative.
The District Plan in respect of Bhandara district was
approved in January, 2003 and first instalment of Special
Central Assistance of Rs. 7.50 crore was released in September,
2003. Second instalment of Special Central Assistance of Rs.
750 crore ws released in May, 2004 on receipt of the
progress of expenditure under the District Plan.