Maharashtra's irrigated area rose to 3.2 million hectare in 2011-12

4.8 million hectare of Irrigation potential created

Notwithstanding the multi-crore irrigation scam, the total irrigation potential created  by the end of June 2011 in Maharashtra was 4.8 million hectare of which 2.6 million hectare was from major irrigation projects, 0.85 million hectare from medium irrigation projects and remaining 1.2 million hectare  from minor irrigation projects. The irrigated area in command area of water resources department rose to 3.2 million hectare in 2011-12 from 2.9 million hectare in 2010-11.

According to Maharashtra's Economic Survey for 2012-13 tabled in the state legislature, the state government has undertaken various major, medium and minor irrigation projects to create maximum irrigation potential. These findings in the economic survey has brought cheer on the face of members of the ruling Nationalist Congress party as the water resources ministry was held by it.

The state has initiated few reforms in irrigation sector including declaration of water policy, establishment of Water Resources Regulatory Authority, Management of Irrigation System by Farmers and Water Users Association (WUA). About 4,553 WUA covering command area of 2.12 million hectare are under various stages of formation.

The total live storage as on October 15, 2011 in the major, medium and minor irrigation reservoirs (state sector) taken together was 26,989 million cubic meter (MCM) which was about 79% of the storage capacity as per the project design.

It must be mentioned here that NCP in particular and the Congress led coalition government came under attack after Economic Survey for 2011-12 observed that irrigation potential during 1999 and 2011 rose by a paltry 0.1%. Subsequently, NCP contradicted Economic Survey's observation saying that the actual rise has been more than 5.17%. Further, the state government tabled a white paper n irrigation sector during winter session of the legislature wherein the 5.17% rise was shown.

However, last year's observations made in the Economic Survey led to expose of irrigation scams. Opposition parties and NGOs were quite aggressive in seeking the explanation from the government on the alleged Rs 70,000 crore scam in the irrigation sector.

At least five different petitions have been filed against these irrigation scams. The state government ultimately set up a special investigation team led by water expert Madhav Chitale on January 31 to look into the various aspects including a term of reference of suggesting action against irregularities if any during the implementation of various irrigation projects. Chitale led SIT has not been formed under the Judicial Commission Act.