After launch of the umbrella scheme Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) in 2016, 99 on-going major/medium irrigation projects, along with 7 phases, were taken for partial financial assistance under PMKSY-Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), with pari passu implementation of Command Area Development & Water Management (CAD&WM). Out of these, 50 projects have been reported to be completed so far. Further, 23 of the remaining projects have physical progress more than 90%, while another 14 projects have physical progress between 80% to 90%. Against a target of 34.64 lakh hectare of additional irrigation, during 2016-2022 an additional irrigation potential of 24.35 lakh hectare has been created through these projects.

Further, inclusion of projects other than the 99 prioritized projects has been permitted for implementation of PMKSY-AIBP during 2021-2026. In view of the same, six additional projects have been included under PMKSY-AIBP, in which an additional irrigation potential of 0.12 lakh hectare has been created during 2021-22.

As seen from the above, PMKSY-AIBP continues to perform satisfactorily in providing assistance to the States to complete the advanced stage irrigation projects held up due to financial constraints, to provide irrigation benefits to the farmers.

PMKSY was launched during the year 2015-16, with an aim to enhance physical access of water on farm and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices, etc.

With the inclusion of AIBP under PMKSY in 2016, a paradigm shift was made in implementation of the programme. During 2016-17, 99 ongoing major/medium irrigation projects were prioritized in consultation with States and included under PMKSY-AIBP, for completion in mission mode, along with their Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM) works. Funding mechanism through NABARD was approved by the Government for both Central and State share. Thus, the strategy was devised for completion of the identified priority irrigation projects, which the States chose to be completed in mission mode, with assured funding through NABARD.

Further, based on the experience gained during 2016-2021, the strategy for implementation of PMKSY-AIBP during the period 2021-2026 has been further partially modified, by adding other projects through a liberalised inclusion criteria, and funding through budgetary resources.

Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) under NITI Ayog has carried out evaluation of PMKSY for the period 2015-2020. AIBP has been graded as the ‘satisfactory’ (highest category) in parameters such as relevance, efficiency, impact and equity. Further, grading for effectiveness has been determined as ‘average’ (second best category), while sustainability of the programme has been graded as ‘needs improvement’.

Government of India reviews its schemes, including PMKSY-AIBP, from time to time, and the requisite changes are brought about to make the implementation more effective. Further, the State Governments are mandated to monitor implementation of irrigation projects under PMKSY-AIBP and ensure their proper operation and maintenance. In addition, such projects are regularly monitored by Central Water Commission, as well as by a dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Physical and financial progress of these projects is also monitored through a dedicated dashboard, backed with a management information system maintained by this Ministry.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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AS

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