Rs 177 crore approved for 1725 lift irrigation points under BKVY

Orissa plans to set up 1725 new lift irrigation points under the Biju Krushak Vikas Yojana (BKVY) during the current fiscal at an expenditure of Rs 176.97crore.

This includes 688 LI points in the economically backward KBK areas and 1039 points in non-KBK areas.

The projects sent by collectors were approved at the 12th State Level Screening Committee meeting of BKVY chaired by the chief secretary, Ajit Kumar Tripathy today.

It was further decided that the collectors may utilise the funds available in the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) for maintenance of LI points. However, the farmers' contribution of 10 percent to the project cost in KBK areas and 20 percent in the non-KBK areas will continue as before.

Besides, the government will initiate series of measures to popularise and sensitise the farmers about the use of lift irrigation points and plans to rope in the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for training the farmers and making the best use of this source.

About 0.5 percent of the project cost (maximum Rs 5000 per LI point) will be spent for motivating and training the farmers, officials sources said.

Budget provision for the 305 LI points approved by the screening committee will be made in the coming supplementary budget of the state government.

The state level screening committee in its 10th and 11th meeting had earlier approved the setting up of 562 new LI points in the KBK areas. While provisions were made for 258 LI points, 304 LI points were not provided with funds. Keeping that in view, the committee today decided to make provisions for completion of these LI points.