Year End Review-Ministry of Water Resources new proposals for inclusion under Bharat Nirman Ken Betwa MoU signed third census of minor irrigation schemes released

   The Ministry of Water Resources had an eventful year with significant achievements in water related fields. Some of these achievements are listed below: 

·                     Irrigation is one of the six components for development of rural infrastructure under Bharat Nirman. The irrigation component of Bharat Nirman aims at creation of irrigation potential of 10 million hectare (Mha) in next four years i.e. from 2005-06 to 2008-09.

The proposal relating to irrigation sector of Bharat Nirman was discussed in detail during the Conference of State irrigation Secretaries held in New Delhi on 4-5^th October 2005. Based on the discussions in the conference, the State Governments were requested to furnish details of projects proposed to be included under Bharat Nirman. The proposal was also discussed in the State Irrigation Ministers’ Conference held in New Delhi on 30^th November 2005. The State Governments have furnished preliminary assessments of project-wise irrigation potential and financial requirements thereof for inclusion under Bharat Nirman to the Ministry of Water Resources.

·                     A National Workshop on ‘Challenges for Water Development and Management in India and Future Strategies was held on 13-14 January 2005 at New Delhi. The Priority Areas for development and management of water resources were finalised during the Workshop. The Future Strategies were also discussed and worked out during the Workshop.

·                     Minister for Water Resources visited National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee. He inaugurated the Stable Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry Laboratory of NIH and addressed the Scientists. He called upon the Scientists to actively involve in identifying and developing advances in the frontier areas of technology to mitigate human suffering in the flood prone and drought prone zones of the country.

·                                             World Water Day–2005 was celebrated at various places throughout the country. National Celebration of World Water Day was held on  22^nd March, 2005 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.   

·         Standing Advisory Committee Meeting :   Standing Advisory Committee meeting of Ministry of Water Resources for Research & Development was held on 14.9.2005 under the Chairmanship of Secretary (WR) wherein 24 new research schemes pertaining to water resources were approved for funding under the Research & Development programme of Ministry of Water Resources.

·                                             The 13^th National Conference of Water Resources and Irrigation Ministers of State Governments and Union Territories was held on 30^th November 2005 at Vigyan Bhavan,New Delhi. The Report on 3^rd Census of Minor Irrigation Schemes was released by Hon’ble Prime Minster on the occasion. Completion of Major and Medium Projects, Development of Minor Irrigation Schemes, Management of Irrigation Projects and Flood Managements were the important issues discussed during the Conference. One Chief Minister and 13 Irrigation / Water Resources Ministers of various States and Union Territories participated in the conference. The officials from various State Governments, Central Ministries / Departments and Organisations of the Ministry of Water Resources also attended the Conference.

·                     During the year 2005 the agreements for the following new projects have been signed with the funding agencies:

·                                             Maharashtra Water Sector Improvement Project:  An agreement has been signed with the World Bank on 19^th August, 2005 for loan assistance of US$ 325 million for ‘Maharashtra Water Sector Improvement Project’.

·                                             Rajasthan Minor Irrigation Improvement Project:  The agreement for ‘Rajasthan Minor Irrigation Improvement Project’ was signed with Japanese Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) on 31.3.2005 for JY 11555 million loan assistance.

·             Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) was commenced in 1996-97 when 171 major, 259 medium and 72 ERM ongoing projects with spill over cost of Rs.75,690 crore  were under various stages of construction. With the assistance provided 45 major/medium irrigation projects have been completed and irrigation potential of 3.25 million hectare created under AIBP up to March, 2005.  Under minor irrigation, 3179 schemes have been completed and 121.15 thousand hectare potential created up to November, 2005. 

·    To achieve this, the phase of potential creation under AIBP needs to be stepped up and it would require stepping up the budget provision from Rs.4500 crore during 2005-06 to about Rs.7630 crore in 2006-07 and 2007-08 and Rs.7640 crore in 2008-09.

·    Up to the end of September, 2005 an expenditure of Rs.19,946.42 crore has been incurred on the Sardar Sarovar Project.  out of which Rs. 162 crore has been  released during the financial year 2005-06. Further raising of the dam from its present height at EL 110.64 m can be permitted only after completing the R&R works as desired by the Hon’ble Supreme Court.The next stage for raising the dam height is 121.92 m.  Narmada Control Authority will give permission after careful consideration of mandatory clearance given by Environment Sub-Group and Rehabilitation & Resettlement Sub-group.

·                                             Ken Betwa Link:    The MOU among the States of  Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh and Union Government has been signed on 25.8.2005 for preparation of Detailed Project Report of Ken-Betwa Link.  Further action in this regard is being taken by MOWR.

·                     Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link:  In the fifth meeting of the Consensus Group headed by Chairman, Central Water Commission (CWC) held on 10.3.2005 on Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal link, representative of Government of Rajashtan informed that the decision of Government of Rajasthan for preparation would be conveyed after the meeting of Chambal Board.

·                     Krishna Water Dispute:   The tribunal in its meeting held on 13^th April, 2005 has issued notice to the basin States under Rule-4 of the Inter State Water Disputes (ISWD) rules 1959 for nominating this representative on or before May 19, 2005 to present their cases in the proceedings before Tribunal. During the next meeting of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT) held on 19^th and 20^th May, 2005 in New Delhi  all the parties requested for time to file their objections/reply to the complaint filed by each other, which was granted by Tribunal.  

·                                             Implementation of Interim Award of the Cauvery Tribunal:   During the water year 2005-06, against 183.22 TMC of inflow required at Mettur upto November, 2005 as per interim order, 343.37 TMC has been received at Mettur by November 2005. The 6^th meeting of the Cauvery River Authority was held on 10.2.2003 and 22^nd meeting of Monitoring Committee was held on 23.6.2005.

·                                             Critical anti-erosion works in Ganga Basin States:            To assist the Ganga basin States, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme is in operation during the 10^th Five Year Plan (2204-07) with estimated cost of Rs.242.17 crore with central share of Rs.195.63 crore. The State of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, U.P, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal and the Farakka Barrage Project are being funded under the scheme. An amount of Rs.9.50 crore and Rs. 10.25 crore has been released during 2004-05 and 2005-06 respectively.

·                                             Maintenance of flood protection works of Kosi and Gandak Project:  Government of India is also assisting the State Governments of Bihar and U.P for maintenance of Kosi and Gandak Projects in respect of works taken up in Nepal for which full cost of the works incurred by these State Governments is reimbursed. During the 10^th Plan an amount of Rs.35 crore has been kept for this work. An amount of Rs.17.241 crore has been released during X plan till March 2005.

·                     Cooperation with Bangladesh:   36^th meeting of the Indo-Bangladesh JRC was held at Dhaka from 19^th – 21^st September 2005 wherein various matters pertaining to cooperation in Water Resources sector, including Tipaimukh Dam Project, Interlinking of Rivers, sharing aspects of waters of common rivers, bank protection works, flood forecasting etc. were discussed. It was agreed that Ministers of Water Resources of both the countries would personally visit the proposed works for bank protection/minor Lift Irrigation/Drinking Water Supply Schemes and would give relevant decision for appropriate action by both the Governments. The details of such works proposed on both the sides have been identified and programme for joint visit of both the Ministers is under formulation.

·                     Indo-Pak Cooperation :  By way of promotion of cooperation envisaged in Indus Waters Treaty 1960, the permanent Indus Commission comprising one Commissioner for Indus Waters each from India and Pakistan undertook two tours of inspection in India and held 1 meeting in Pakistan and 3 meetings in India during the year 2005.  

SS/AKS/ska

(Release ID :14702)

Tweet