The Union Government launched the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) in 1996-97 for providing financial assistance, to expedite completion of ongoing Major/Medium Irrigation (MMI) including Extension, Renovation and Modernization (ERM) of irrigation projects and Surface Minor Irrigation schemes, as well asLift Irrigation Schemes(LIS). The funding pattern for Central Assistance (CA) for the MMI projects and surface Minor Irrigation Schemes is as below;

MMI Projects           

(i)                 25% CA of project cost (work component only) for ongoing and new MMI projects, which are in an advanced stage of construction; in case of Non-special category States grantcould even be enhanced upto 50% for new projects subject to condition that the States actually carry out any three water sector reforms out of identified six reforms.

(ii)        75% CA of project cost for ongoing and new MMI projects  in Special Area benefiting drought prone area(DPA), desert prone area(DDP), tribal area(TA) and flood prone areasof Non-special category States.

(iii)       90% central assistance (CA) of project cost for ongoing and new MMI projects which are in an advanced stage of construction in case of Special Category States (North Eastern States, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttaranchal) and, undivided Koraput, Bolangir, Kalahandi (KBK) districts of Odisha.

(iv)       25% CA of project cost (work component only) for the ongoing projects already under AIBP and benefitting Desert Development Programme(DDP)/Desert Prone Area.      

Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) Schemes

(i)                 90% central assistance (CA) of project cost for ongoing and new SMI Schemes in case of Special Category States (North Eastern States, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttaranchal) and undivided Koraput,Bolangir,Kalahandi (KBK) districts of Odisha.

(ii)        90% central assistance (CA) of project cost for ongoing SMI Schemes in Special Area benefiting drought prone area (DPA) and tribal area(TA) of Non-special category States.

(iii)       75% CA of project cost for new SMI projects in Special Area benefiting drought prone area(DPA), tribal area(TA) and Left Extremist Affected Area of Non-special category States. The balance funds are to be arranged by the State Government from its own resources.

            This was stated by Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharati in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

Samir/jk