DP-Index-dec07-lead8

A section of DOCPOST which is an
extract, executive summary, index rolled into one.

December 2007

BIG IRRIGATION PROJECTS

In twelve years from 1991-92 to 2003-04 (the latest year for which figures are available), there has been absolutely no addition to net irrigated areas by canals as reported by union ministry of agriculture, based on actual field data from states. In the period from April 1991 to March 2004, the country has spent Rs 99,610 crores on major and medium irrigation projects with the objective of increasing canal irrigated areas. What the official data show is that this whole expenditure has not led to addition of a single ha in the net irrigated area by canals in the country for the whole of this 12-year period. In fact, the areas irrigated by canals have reduced by a massive 3.18 m ha during this period. This should be cause of some very serious concerns and the ministry of water resources (MWR), the states and the planning commission will have to answer some difficult questions.

by Himanshu Thakkar. Combat Law. 01/12/2007

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