Water Resources Project are planned, funded, executed and maintained by the State Governments themselves as per their own resources and priority. The requisite survey and water-management of the projects also comes under the purview of concerned State Governments. In order to supplement the efforts of the State Governments, Government of India provides technical and financial assistance to encourage sustainable development and efficient management of water resources through various schemes and programmes such as Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) etc. under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) as per the guidelines of such schemes.
During 2016-17, ninety nine (99) ongoing Major/Medium irrigation projects (and seven phases) under PMKSY-AIBP have been prioritized in consultation with States for completion in phases, along with their Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM) works. Funding mechanism through NABARD has been approved by the Government for both Central and State Share.
Out of the above mentioned prioritized projects, 07 projects involve Renovation and Modernization works of canals. Ultimate irrigation potential of these projects is 327.76 Th. Ha..Since April, 2016, Central Assistance (CA) of Rs.796.39 cr. and State Share (SS) of Rs. 517.67 cr. has been released for these projects. Four out of these seven projects have been reported to be completed.
Besides above, Government of India has also approved the funding of ‽Relining of Sirhind Feeder and Rajasthan Feeder” to address the problems of seepage and water-logging with a total cost of Rs. 1976.745 (Price Level 2015).CA component is Rs. 826.17 crore in addition to Rs.156 cr. released earlier. The project is planned to be completed by June,2021. The relining of Rajasthan Feeder envisages to save 560 cusec of water leading to stabilization/ improvement of irrigation in 98,739 Ha in Rajasthan. Relining of Sirhind Feeder envisages to save 256 cusec of water leading to stabilization/ improvement irrigation in 69,096 Ha (20,740 Ha in Rajasthan and 48,356 Ha in Punjab).
This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti & Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Rattan Lal Kataria in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
