Odisha cabinet approves new scheme to strengthen irrigation distribution systems

  • | Wednesday | 22nd November, 2017

BHUBANESWAR: The state cabinet led by chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday approved a new scheme to strengthen the irrigation potential of the state by reviving the canal systems The new scheme would be named after eminent freedom fighter, socialist and former chief minister Nabakrushna Choudhury . Born on November 23, 1901, Choudhury had served as the chief minister from May 12, 1950, to October 19, 1956. The approval has been given for optimal utilisation of the budgetary provision, said an official source It will be funded from the state's own resources and the scheme will irrigate 55,000 hectares," health and family welfare minister Pratap Jena told reporters after the cabinet meeting.Under the new scheme, the state government aims to revive 46,296 hectares command area of 14 major and medium irrigation projects and 284 minor irrigation projects. The announcement came on the eve of Choudhury's birth anniversary on Thursday.

BHUBANESWAR: The state cabinet led by chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday approved a new scheme to strengthen the irrigation potential of the state by reviving the canal systems The new scheme would be named after eminent freedom fighter, socialist and former chief minister Nabakrushna Choudhury . The announcement came on the eve of Choudhury's birth anniversary on Thursday. Born on November 23, 1901, Choudhury had served as the chief minister from May 12, 1950, to October 19, 1956."The project to be known as Nabakrushna Choudhury Secha Unnayan Yojana will be implemented with an outlay of Rs 635 crore over a period of three years. It will be funded from the state's own resources and the scheme will irrigate 55,000 hectares," health and family welfare minister Pratap Jena told reporters after the cabinet meeting.Under the new scheme, the state government aims to revive 46,296 hectares command area of 14 major and medium irrigation projects and 284 minor irrigation projects. Besides, 8,719 hectares of new command area will be created through extension of canals of six major and medium irrigation projects.Explaining the project, water resources secretary P K Jena said many major, medium and minor irrigation projects are quite old and operating below their designed capacity.Around 30% of the irrigation potential created could not be achieved due to deterioration of distribution (canal) system and siltation of reservoirs. Renovation and modernisation of these assets will bridge the gap between potential created and utilised to a large extent, Jena said.The water resources secretary said since there is also scope for increasing irrigation area of some of the existing major and medium irrigation projects beyond the designed command area, new canal systems would be developed under the new scheme.At present, there are certain schemes like repair, renovation and restoration, rural infrastructure development fund, Odisha community tank management project and Odisha integrated irrigated agriculture and water management investment programme to take up renovation and modernisation work of water resources projects.The cabinet also approved a proposal of the water resources department to complete the tendering process of works worth around Rs 6,000 crore to be taken up during 2018-19 fiscal years.Since the tender process takes six months times, amount targeted to be spent in the first half of the financial year, could not be fully utilised. The approval has been given for optimal utilisation of the budgetary provision, said an official source

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