Irrigation gets Rs 542 cr in Appropriation Bill

Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna made substantial changes in allocations made for irrigation projects in the Appropriation Bill before giving his consent to table it in the state legislature.

He forced the state government to cut down the allocation for irrigation from Rs 1,041.50 crore to around Rs 541.50 crore.

After the Opposition found out that the state government has tabled the Bill without the consent of the governor, as the governor's guidelines were not followed, the state government was forced to withdraw the Bill and approach the governor for his consent afresh.

Finally, after receiving the consent, the state government presented the Bill in the state assembly and got it passed.

On Tuesday, the state government had refused to reveal the changes proposed by the governor. Finally, on Wednesday, under severe pressure from the Opposition and the ruling party MLAs, state finance minister announced the details of changes suggested by the governor.

The original size of the Appropriation Bill was Rs 1,041.50 crore. However, the governor has given his consent for expenditure of Rs 500 crore only, which includes Rs 100 crore for projects in the Tapi Valley (northern Maharashtra), Rs 100 carore for projects in the Godavari Valley (Marathwada), Rs 150 crore in the Krishna Valley (western Maharashtra) and Rs 150 crore for various projects under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program (AIBP).

Allocations under the AIBP scheme for various projects are-Rs 70.2 crore for projects in Vidarbha, Rs 42 crore for projects in western Maharashtra and Rs 10.50 crore for projects in Konkan and Rs 10.10 crore for projects in northern Maharashtra. Besides, the governor allocated Rs 41.10 core for inter-state projects.

This include Rs 8 crore for Vidarbha, Rs 20.18 crore for projects in Marathwada. Rest of the funds for projects in Konkan and western Maharashtra. The governor has also given consent for spending additional Rs150 crore on irrigation projects in Vidarbha from contingency fund and Rs 50 crore on projects in the Konkan region.