Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in her budget speech mentioned about doubling farmers' income, women empowerment and inclusive development (Para 25) - which are addressed to by Watershed Development Component of PMKSY of Department of Land Resources under the Ministry of Rural Development. The status of the schemes and the opportunities for the ministry are as follows:

Watershed Development Component of Pradhan MantriKrishiSinchayeeYojana (WDC-PMKSY)

Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) was amalgamated as the Watershed Development Component (WDC) of the Pradhan MantriKrishiSinchayeeYojana (PMKSY) in 2015-16. WDC-PMKSY is for development of rainfed and degraded areas. Out of 8214 sanctioned watershed development projects, 345 uninitiated projects and 1487 projects in Preparatory Phase (Total 1832) had been transferred to States to be taken up under their respective states' budget. Out of the balance 6382 projects being funded by DoLR, as on 31.01.2021, 4743 (74.32%) have been reported completed, 409 (6.41%) are in the Consolidation Phase and 1230 (19.28%) are in Works Phase.

As on 31.01.2021, end-line evaluation reports of 2457 completed projects have been received. The evaluation reports reveal that there is a significant improvement in the availability of surface and groundwater, increase in productivity, vegetative cover, enhanced livelihood opportunities and household incomes in project areas.

As per information received from the States, since 2014-15, 7.09 lakh water harvesting structures were created/rejuvenated and an additional area of 15.17 lakh ha was brought under protective irrigation up to Q-3 of 2020-21.

APS/MG/JK                               ***************