Amidst speculations of hike in water tax due to reported pressure from the World Bank, Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy declared that there will be no hike in water tax for the next five years under any circumstances. He said that a new strategy will be chalked out for effective usage of water by bringing the well and borewell irrigation under minor irrigation.
The Chief Minister today directed the officials to prepare an action plan for minor irrigation, lift irrigation and ground water management for the next five years during a review meeting on the World Bank-aided minor irrigation and modernisation programmes of tanks in the State. He was confident that the World Bank will not pose any obstacles for the State Government’s decision.
Rajasekhara Reddy said that instead of the World Bank loan, the Central Government has assured to provide 90 per cent grant for tribal/ DPAP/ Naxalite affected districts to modernise minor tanks.
The Central Government grant for other areas will be 25 per cent.
The State Government will seek the Central grant instead of the World Bank loan and the project will be grounded from this year.
During the last five years, about 5.69 lakh acre new ayacut was created and 10.20 lakh acre of ayacut was stabilised under minor irrigation at a cost of Rs 2,705 crore.By 2014, the area cultivated is expected to go up to 40 lakh acres.
While the total area irrigated during 2004-05 was 12.67 lakh acre, it was increased to 22.66 lakh acres during 2008-09 and is projected to go upto 24.95 lakh acres during 2009-10.The Department is aiming at strengthening Water Users Associations, tank system improvement and agricultural support services, including ground water recharge and better project management.
Under ‘Indiramma Cheruvu’ programme, it is proposed to take up the repairs, restoration and strengthening of minor irrigation tanks with about Rs 1,250 crore in project mode during the next five years. Another Rs 9,650 crore will be spent for development of new minor irrigation projects and modernisation of existing schemes over next five years.
Minister for Minor Irrigation Sunitha Laxma Reddy, Chief Secretary P Ramakantha Reddy, Principal Secretary for Irrigation & Command Area Development SP Tucker, and Principal Secretary for Finance G Sudhir were present.
The Chief Minister today directed the officials to prepare an action plan for minor irrigation, lift irrigation and ground water management for the next five years during a review meeting on the World Bank-aided minor irrigation and modernisation programmes of tanks in the State. He was confident that the World Bank will not pose any obstacles for the State Government’s decision.
Rajasekhara Reddy said that instead of the World Bank loan, the Central Government has assured to provide 90 per cent grant for tribal/ DPAP/ Naxalite affected districts to modernise minor tanks.
The Central Government grant for other areas will be 25 per cent.
The State Government will seek the Central grant instead of the World Bank loan and the project will be grounded from this year.
During the last five years, about 5.69 lakh acre new ayacut was created and 10.20 lakh acre of ayacut was stabilised under minor irrigation at a cost of Rs 2,705 crore.By 2014, the area cultivated is expected to go up to 40 lakh acres.
While the total area irrigated during 2004-05 was 12.67 lakh acre, it was increased to 22.66 lakh acres during 2008-09 and is projected to go upto 24.95 lakh acres during 2009-10.The Department is aiming at strengthening Water Users Associations, tank system improvement and agricultural support services, including ground water recharge and better project management.
Under ‘Indiramma Cheruvu’ programme, it is proposed to take up the repairs, restoration and strengthening of minor irrigation tanks with about Rs 1,250 crore in project mode during the next five years. Another Rs 9,650 crore will be spent for development of new minor irrigation projects and modernisation of existing schemes over next five years.
Minister for Minor Irrigation Sunitha Laxma Reddy, Chief Secretary P Ramakantha Reddy, Principal Secretary for Irrigation & Command Area Development SP Tucker, and Principal Secretary for Finance G Sudhir were present.
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