Cabinet relaxes criteria for Accelerated Irrigation scheme

New Delhi, Nov 16 (UNI) The Union Cabinet today approved relaxation in criteria for the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) to help achieve the targets envisaged under the Bharat Nirman Programme.

''This will help to complete ongoing projects of any Plan which the state government undertake to finish within four years,'' Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

The AIBP coverage has now been extended to all approved major and medium irrigation projects in drought-prone areas, tribal areas, and states with lower irrigation potential compared to the national average.

Besides, districts identified under PM's package for agrarian distress would be provided support under AIBP in relaxation to 1:1 criteria. For other projects, 1:1 criteria-- taking up of another project in the state after completion of the ongoing project-- will remain applicable.

The sanctioned grants-- provided by the Centre under the AIBP-- will be released in two instalments, the first based on projected outlay and the second after confirmation of expenditure.

Mr Dasmunsi said the grant component amounting to 90 per cent of the total grant sanctioned will be released immediately and the balance 10 per cent when 70 per cent of the agreed expenditure was incurred.

The Cabinet also removed distinction of fast track projects, reforming and non-reforming states, and release of grant of 25 per cent of project cost for all irrigation projects in non-special category states and 90 per cent for special category states.

The Cabinet also brought down the stipulation of 100 hectare to 50 hectare in respect of surface water minor irrigation schemes predominantly benefiting backward regions.

It has done away with the stipulation of 10 per cent beneficiary contributing in cost for post construction maintenance for such schemes.

''This will help the states to locate projects in backward regions, which are already water stressed, to irrigate 100 hectare area,'' Mr Dasmunsi said.

He said the adoption of such system would also enable a more efficient and transparent support to the states.

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