STATES URGED TO GIVE THRUST TO IRRIGATION
PROGRAMMES
The Union Minister
of State for Water Resources, Smt. Bijoya Chakravarty called upon
the State Governments to give thrust to irrigation programmes
for the development of the economy. Inaugurating a one-day Conference
of State Secretaries in charge of Command Area Development Programme
here today, the Minister pointed out the need for steady implementation
of the projects for better results at farm level; especially in
the North-Eastern region.
Shri Sompal,
Member (Agriculture), Planning Commission who was the Chief Guest
of the function, underlined the need for strengthening the agriculture
sector as the main base for economic growth. Emphasizing the need
for providing a fillip to minor irrigation programmes. Shri Sompal
pointed out that the economic activity developed in rural areas
would alone show the overall development of the economy.
Speaking on
the occasion, Shri B. N. Navalawala, Secretary, Water Resources
expressed concern at the wide gap between the created irrigation
potential and its utilisation in a number of commands, despite
taking up infrastructural development at macro level and innovative
management activities in the project commands through Command
Area Development Programme by the Ministry. He suggested participatory
irrigation management as a more practical and long term solution
for proper maintenance of irrigation system and for sustenance
of the irrigation sector as a whole. It may also be considered
to seek a minimum 10 per cent contribution from beneficiary farmers
in the On Farm Development (OFD) work, such as field channels
and reclamation of water logged areas in the tenth plan, the secretary
said. The state governments were asked to submit their proposals
for release of matching central grants for various irrigation
projects in the states well in time to avoid time and cost over
runs.
The conference
of the state secretaries in charge of Command Area Development
Programme was convened mainly to review the progress of CAD programme,
besides, fixing of target of 10th Plan. The Conference
would also suggest proposals for restructuring of CAD programme
during 10th Plan and involvement of beneficiaries in
the construction and maintenance of OFD works. The other issues
which are to be taken up by the Conference for consideration include
provision for linkage of the field drains with intermediate and
main drains for letting out surplus water; inclusion of minor
irrigation projects under CAD programmes ; allocation of funds
for schemes for 10th Plan ; revision of cost norms
etc.
