Special package for greening the desert

INTERIM BUDGET & THE STATES/RAJASTHAN

Finance minister Jaswant Singh announced a special package for speeding up the development of desert areas falling largely in his home state of Rajasthan and adjoining Gujarat.

The measures mooted aim chiefly at reducing the water scarcity and boosting agricultural and industrial production in this region.

Singh proposed setting up of a task force for integrated development of desert areas with the mandate to address the problems of sustainable livelihood for people.

It would review existing desert development programmes, identify gaps, define thrust areas and make appropriate recommendations.

The task force would also examine the establishment of a rural technology centre in one of the desert districts and give its recommendations in this regard, he said in his budget speech.

Pointing out that the Indira Gandhi canal project had been languishing since decades, he announced that work on it would be accelerated through a fresh Centre-state initiative, including additional innovating funding.

He also stated that the finance ministry would work with Rajasthan government and provide it the necessary financial assistance for extending Narmada canal to this state.

Talking about Kutch and adjoining districts, Singh observed that the industrial units in the region established between July 31, 2001 and July 31, 2004 (which would start production before July 31, 2004) were already exempt from excise duty.

To give more time for the completion of these projects, he extended the last date for such exception to December 31, 2004. The exemption would remain valid for five years from the date of start of commercial production, he said.

Justifying his move for this package, the minister said the desert areas were located mostly on the border of the country and faced a variety of stresses. Water was of critical importance to these areas.

He also recalled that last year he had announced the 'Maru Gochar Yojna', a special programme for rehabilitation and development of traditional pasture lands in the desert districts of Rajasthan. This had now started being implemented, he informed the House.