Rs 41,315 cr required for 1246 irrigation projects

Mumbai, Jul 19 (UNI) A whopping amount of Rs 41,315 crore would be required for completing 1246 irrigation projects all over Maharashtra, that will bring nearly 32 lakh hectare land under irrigation, Minister of state for irrigation Sunil Deshmukh said today.

Replying to the discussion on the regional imbalance in the state, initiated by Dhondiram Rathod (Cong) and others, Mr Deshmukh admitted that regional imbalance prevailed in various sectors, particularly in the irrigation sector.

''However, this anamoly has been completely removed for the last three years and all the regions are getting proper finance for the irrgation projects'', the minister said, adding all the 1246 projects are in progress and 40 lakh hectares of land is already under irrigation.

The discussion on the issue commenced in the last budget session and concluded today.

Diwakar Raote (Sena) and other speakers raised the issue of regional imbalance and neglect of areas like Marathwada and Vidarbha by the government.

UNI