NABARD sanctions RS 491.89 cr to Maharashtra government

Pune, Mar 21 (UNI) NABARD has accorded a sanction of Rs 491.89 crore to the government of Maharashtra under second phase of RIDF-XII for developmont of minor irrigation, rural roads and bridge projects in the state.

These sanctions accorded in the project sanctioning committee (PSC) meeting held here on March 17, 2007 included 139 MI projects amounting to Rs 112.91 crore for creating an additional irrigation potential to the extent of 20,000 hectare and an amount of Rs 378.98 crore for 866 rural roads and 197 rural bridge projects which would facilitate strengthening and black topping of 2,642 km of rural roads and construction of 5,100 metres of rural bridge in the rural areas.

According to an official statement issued here, these projects are expected to be completed by March 2009.

The total sanctions to the State Government during 2006-07 under RIDF-XII have reached to Rs 609.48 crore including Rs 117.59 crore sanctioned earlier for 26 minor irrigation projects in the six distressed districts of Vidarbha region under the package announced by the Prime Minister.

While according sanctions to the State Government, the highest priority has been given to six distressed districts of Vidarbha region as a part of relief package unveiled by the Prime Minister at Nagpur on July 1, 2006. Out of the total of 139 MI projects, 31 projects have been sanctioned in Amravati, 20 in Akola, 25 in Yavatmal, 24 in Buldhana, 17 in Washim and 17 in Wardha districts, statement said.

Further, 140 rural road and bridge projects amounting to Rs 43.07 crore have also been sanctioned in these six distressed districts of Vidarbha region, it added.

On completion, the irrigation projects would generate employment of 13.08 lakh mandays of recurring nature and 178.45 lakh mandays of non-recurring nature and the road and bridge projects would create a non-recurring employment to the extent of 165 lakh mandays.

UNI