NDCWWC Journal (A Half Yearly Journal of New Delhi Centre of WWC)
Year : 2013, Volume : 2, Issue : 1
First page : ( 15) Last page : ( 29)
Print ISSN : 2278-8395. Online ISSN : 2278-8409.

Irrigation development profile under accelerated irrigation benefits programme

Nathan L.A.V., Chief Engineer (PMO), Sinha S.K., Director (Monitoring-North)

Central Water Commission

Online published on 27 January, 2014.

Abstract

India being primarily an agrarian society, irrigation plays an important role in poverty alleviation, particularly in rural areas. The economy of our country is considerably influenced by agriculture. In order to increase the agricultural production in the country, it is important to expand irrigation facility through sustainable development of both the surface and the groundwater resources. The development of irrigation received high priority by the Government in successive Plans after independence and many new irrigation projects were taken up to help achieve food security in the country. Till the Eighth Plan, an investment to the tune of Rs 52,600 crores was made under Plan. However, the completion of projects got delayed due to various reasons and the benefits derived from these projects were short of expectations. The lack of funds with the state governments resulting in thin spreading of available resources over many projects was being cited as the single most important reason for the inordinate delay in completion of irrigation projects. It was in this context that the Government launched the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) in 1996–97 with an aim to accelerate creation of irrigation potential and realization of bulk benefits from completed irrigation projects in the country. Under AIBP, Central Government provides financial assistance to State Governments for expeditious completion of Major, Medium, ERM and Minor surface water irrigation projects. This effort on part of Union Government has helped in increasing the pace of creation of irrigation potential and completion of ongoing projects. However, the achievements have not been as per the expectations. This paper discusses the impact of AIBP on the irrigation sector in general in various states across the country and concludes with a need for a comprehensive review of the Programme.

“Opinion expressed in this paper is authors’ personal aspirations it may not be considered as an official contribution.”

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