Government’s Assistance for Lift Irrigation Projects
- Financial assistance to major and medium irrigation projects, including lift irrigation projects, is being provided by this Ministry under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana- Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP).
About Lift Irrigation
Lift irrigation is a method of irrigation in which water instead of being transported by natural flow requires external energy through animal, fuel-based or electric power using pumps or other mechanical means.
Some Lift Irrigation Projects in India
- Dehani Lift Irrigation Scheme, Maharashtra
- Punasa Lift Irrigation Scheme
- Purandar Lift Irrigation Scheme
- HNSS Lift Irrigation Project
- Koilsagar Lift Irrigation Scheme
- Gandikota Tunnel Project
Financial Assistance to these projects
Financial assistance is provided under a special package taken up for financial assistance by the Government of India in July, 2018 for completion of 83 surface minor irrigation (SMI) projects and 8 major / medium irrigation projects in drought prone districts in Vidarbha, Marathwada and rest of Maharashtra (Special Package). This Special Package has been taken up by the Government of India as a one-time measure, and not a regular scheme.
Process of Inclusion of projects for funding
- It is required to be first appraised by Central Water Commission (CWC)
- Then accepted by the Advisory Committee on Irrigation, Flood Control and Multipurpose Projects of this Ministry.
- Investment clearance is required to be obtained by the State Government.
- If the project meets the laid down norms for the scheme, and as per availability of funds etc., Government of India may approve inclusion.
- Similar procedure was followed for inclusion of projects under Special Package at its inception in 2018.
Funding Pattern for Financial Assistance
| Category | Central : State |
|---|---|
| A. Projects in 8 North-Eastern, 2 Himalayan States (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand) and Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh | 90:10 |
| B. Projects benefitting special area in other General Category States i.e. command under Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) & Desert Development Programme (DDP), Tribal Area, Flood Prone Area, Left Wing Extremist Area, Bundelkhand, Vidarbha, Marathwada and KBK (Odisha). | 60:40 |
| C. Projects in General Category States benefitting areas other than at B. above | 25:75 |
- Under the Special Package, 25% central assistance is being provided on reimbursement basis, on the expenditure being made by the State Government on the on-works component of the projects included under the package.
Lift irrigation projects appraised by the Central Water Commission (CWC)
Poorna Barrage-2 (Ner Dhamana) medium irrigation project, Maharashtra:
- 2nd revised cost estimate for Rs. 888.43 crore, benefitting 6,954 hectare of cultivable command area (CCA).
Seven Pneumatically Operated Gated Weirs in Series on Girna river, Maharashtra:
- Estimated cost of Rs. 781.32 crore, targeting to benefit CCA of 5,540 hectare.
Bodwad Parisar Sinchan Yojana, Maharashtra
- Revised cost estimate for Rs. 3,763.60 crore, targeting to benefit CCA of 53,025 hectare.
Upper Bhadra Project, Karnataka
- Estimated cost of Rs. 16,125.48 crore, targeting to benefit CCA of 2.25 lakh hectare.
Extension, renovation and modernization of Loktak Lift Irrigation Project, Phase-I, Manipur
- Revised cost estimate of Rs. 81.59 crore, targeting to benefit CCA of 12,600 hectare.
Conclusion
Water being a State subject, it is for the State Governments concerned to formulate, plan and implement irrigation projects, including lift irrigation projects. Government of India provides partial financial assistance to some of these projects under its existing schemes.
Exam Track
Prelims Takeaway
- Lift Irrigation method
- Irrigation projects in India
- Funding Patterns in irrigation projects
Mains Track Q. Discuss how lift irrigation could be an all time solution for areas which are on highlands and elevated regions.