(a) whether the Government have launched a new scheme for making water more
accessible to the farmers;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the States that are likely to be benefited under the scheme;
(d) whether Andhra Pradesh has been included under the scheme; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI AJIT SINGH)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO.677 DUE FOR REPLY ON 13TH MAY, 2002.
(a) to (c): Yes, Sir. In order to exploit the ground water potential available in
eastern region, Government of India has approved a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme
of `On Farm Water Management` which has been launched during the year 2001-2002
for increasing crop production in Eastern India. Under the scheme, financial assistance
for sinking shallow tube wells/low lift irrigation points, electrical/diesel water pumping
sets and dug wells (for plateau regions only) is provided to the farmers through
NABARD. This is a credit linked scheme. The funding pattern of the scheme is on
20:30:50 basis i.e., 20% as contribution from the beneficiaries, 30% as Government of
India assistance as subsidy and remaining 50% as loan from the commercial/state
cooperative/rural banks. This scheme is being implemented in ten states viz. Arunachal
Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Manipur, Mizoram, Orissa and
selected districts of Eastern U.P. & West Bengal.
(d) & (e): No, Sir. The scheme has been approved specifically for exploiting the
available ground water potential of the Eastern States.