Special cell to keep tabs on irrigation projects in state

MUMBAI: In a letter issued to water resources secretary E B Patil early this month, the Central Water Commission, which comes under the Union water resources ministry, has asked the Mahrashtra government for information about all contracts over Rs one crore linked to these 17 projects across the state.

Sources said that the Centre has formed a cell consisting ten officers of the Central Water Commission and recommended a senior CVC official to monitor irrigation projects in the state. "The mandate of the cell will not be just restricted to performance audit, but also to inquire and investigate into various irregularities. The factual position of these projects will decide the course of future funding from the centre,'' said sources.

The Union government has already suspended financial aid for state irrigation projects under the accelerated irriga-tion benefit programme (AIBP). The Centre's contribution is believed to be over Rs 2,000 crore annually for Maharashtra . The AIBP scheme, commenced in 1996, provides 25% of the project cost. This aid is primarily meant for projects stalled for want of funds. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had visited Vidarbha region in 2006 and announced a special grant of Rs 2,177 crore to complete major, medium and minor irrigation projects in the next three years. This aid was to mitigate the distressed farmers. However, these projects are still incomplete.

A special performance audit of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), submitted to the state assembly early this year, stated that of the 27 selected projects in six districts of Vidarbha, the distribution network including canal works and field channel works, were not started at all.

"Due to non-acquisition of land, forest clearance, non-rehabilitation of PAPs and non-completion of the projects already taken up within stipulated period of three years, the objective of the PM's package was not achieved. It also resulted in a cost overrun of Rs 415 crore up to March 2009, which further increased to Rs 811.89 crore by November 2011,'' said the CAG report.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Special cell to keep tabs on irrigation projects in state

Dengan url

http://cegahkeropostulang.blogspot.com/2012/10/special-cell-to-keep-tabs-on-irrigation.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Special cell to keep tabs on irrigation projects in state

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Special cell to keep tabs on irrigation projects in state

sebagai sumbernya