Delay in Central aid to affect irrigation projects

Neena Sharma

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 22

The financial year 2016-2017 is about to end but the Central government is still to release Rs 456 crore as assistance to Uttarakhand, jeopardising two crucial minor irrigation projects.

As part of the Central share, the Central government has not released Rs 300 crore under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) (Repair), CSS-FMP and Rs 156 crore under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP).

“The situation is grim as the ongoing financial year is about to end. In case the government does not release the share, the amount will lapse. This will force the state to arrange even the Centre’s share, which will be a huge burden,” says Anandvardhan, Secretary, Minor Irrigation.

For a small state like Uttarakhand much is at stake and withholding of financial assistance could worsen its financial health.

Significantly, during the the election campaigning for the February 15 Assembly poll, the Congress and the BJP had made accusations and counter accusations on the issue of the Central assistance.

While the Congress government decried the step-motherly treatment meted out by the NDA government at the Centre, the BJP blamed the state government for failing to utilise the Central funds.

Now, that the electioneering din is over, the state authorities are a worried lot as the time is slipping away. “The delay in release of funds will escalate the cost of works that the state will have to borne,” adds Anandvardhan.

In both these schemes, the state’s share is only 10 per cent. As of now, more than 30 works nearing completion have been stalled.

The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) aims to help in completing ongoing major or medium minor irrigation projects in hilly areas where irrigation facilities are insufficient.