New Ayacut in Khariff likely

Hyderabad, Nov 15 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today said it was proposed to create new ayacut of 8,99,818 acres in Khariff in 2007, 13,53,452 acres in 2008 and 12,06,950 acres in 2009.

Reviewing the status of various Irrigation projects taken up in Rayalaseema, Nellore and Prakasam region with senior officials he said an area of 15,14,000 acres would be brought under new ayacut in 2010 all over the state.

He said the projected figures of ayacut in Andhra region for 2007 was 2,81,240 acres, 2,01,730 acres for 2008 and 69,700 acres for 2009. In Rayalaseema, including Nellore and Prakasam the ayacut was 3,68,578 acres in 2007, 3,80,500 acres in 2008, 1,99,000 in 2009 and 4,94,000 in 2010. In Telangana region, the new ayacut proposed to be created was 2,50,000 acres in 2007 Khariff, 7,71,222 acres in 2008, 9,38,250 acres in 2009 and 10,20,000 acres in 2010.

The budget provision made for Irrigation department in 2004-05 was Rs 3,331 crore, in 2005-06 it was Rs 6,569 crore, in 2006-07 it was Rs 10,042 crore. It was anticipated to provide Rs 13,000 crore in 2007-08 and Rs 17,000 crore for 2008-09. Thus a total provision of Rs 50,000 crore was earmarked for Irrigation projects.

During Khariff 2006, new ayacut of 6,50,000 acres was created costing Rs 4,391 crore against 7,50,000 acres contemplated.

The meeting was attended by the three Irrigation Secretaries, Satish Chandra, Heeralal Samaria and R R Mishra and other senior officials were present.

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