(a) whether a proposal to upgrade the watershed training centre at Bijapur in Karnataka is pending with the Union Government;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether there is shortage of staff/ skeletal staff and equipment in the said training centre;
(d) whether the Government of Karnataka has submitted a proposal for seeking financial assistance for Bamboo afforestation in the watershed areas of Karnataka from Japan; and
(e) if so, the details and the Status 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) & (b): The proposal to upgrade the Watershed Training Centres at Bijapur & Mysore
of Karnataka State proposed under Japanese Grant-in-Aid at an estimated cost of Rs.22.00 crore
received from Govt. of Karnataka has been posed to Govt. of Japan through Ministry of Finance,
Govt. of India.
(c): Yes, Madam. Presently the said training centre is working with a skeletal staff and
also not well equipped.
(d) & (e): No, Madam. However, for Bamboo afforestation in the watershed areas, this Ministry
under National Bamboo Mission (NBM) had approved Annual Action Plan of Govt. of Karnataka for
2009-10 and 2010-11 with a total cost of Rs.415.00 lakh and Rs.347.24 lakh respectively.