Gujarat got Rs 2,928 cr for irrigation programme in last 3 fiscals: Govt

Sanwar Lal Jat presented the details in Rajya Sabha while replying to a question raised by Parimal Nathwani

The Union Ministry of Water Resources has released Rs 2,928 crore to Gujarat under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Flood Management Programme (AIBFMP) in last three financial years.

As per the statement tabled by Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sanwar Lal Jat in the Rajya Sabha, the Central government released grants of Rs 1,285.93 crore, Rs 607.57 crore and Rs 1,033.94 crore in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15, respectively, Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani said in a release issued here today.

Jat presented the details in Rajya Sabha while replying to a question raised by Nathwani on Monday, the release said.

Under the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), the government has released Rs 461.58 crore to Gujarat, as per the release.

The minister said that all the water resources projects, such as major and medium irrigation projects, surface minor irrigation projects, repair, restoration and renovation (RRR) of water bodies are meant for storage of water for providing water to farmers for irrigation, the release stated.

Nathwani wanted to know about different schemes for making adequate water available to the farmers for irrigation and expenditure incurred during the last three financial years. He also wanted to know about central assistance provided for repair and maintenance of dams and embankment meant for water harvesting to various states.

Under IWMP, the government has released total funds of Rs 7,167.97 crore to various state governments in last three financial years since 2012-13.

The government also released total Rs 304.93 crore to different state governments under RRR and Rs 2,867 crore to various state governments for extension, renovation and modernisation under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), the release added.