Continuation of Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme and Scheme of National Projects in XII Plan
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today gave its approval for continuation of the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) with a total outlay of Rs. 55,200 crore. It is expected that States would create an additional irrigation potential of 8.7 million hectare.
The CCEA also approved two related schemes namely the National Projects and Command Area Development & Water Management (CAD & WM) during the XII Plan with a total outlay of Rs. 15,000 crore. This would help in creating irrigation potential of 7.6 million hectares.
The CCEA further approved the following policy changes while allowing continuation of above schemes:
(i) the advance stage criteria for inclusion of major/medium irrigation projects under AIBP has been clearly specified,
(ii) the area of coverage of Minor Irrigation (Ml) schemes modified as 10 hectares for individual and 20 hectares for cluster of schemes in hilly areas,
(iii) the CAD&WM projects will be implemented pari-passu with AIBP in respect of both ongoing and new projects,
(iv) 1:1 criteria for CAD will be relaxed,
(v) revision in funding pattern,
(vi) Desert Development Programme (DDP) area/Desert Prone Area will be treated on a par with those benefiting Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) areas as far as central assistance under AIBP scheme is concerned.
The Government of India provides Central Assistance (CA) under AIBP to the State Governments for completion of ongoing Major/Medium Irrigation (MMI) projects & surface Ml schemes. AIBP was launched by Government of India during 1996-97. The scheme of National projects was introduced in the year 2008 under the ambit of the ongoing AIBP of Government of India. Till now, 15 projects have been included in the scheme of National Projects.
The CAD Programme was started as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in the year 1974-75, which was under implementation as a State Sector Scheme during the XI Five Year Plan (2007-08 to 2011-12). Government of India has decided to continue with these Schemes during Xll Plan with desired policy changes.
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SC/LMP