Maharashtra budget provides Rs 6000 cr for irrigation sector

Mumbai, Mar 19 (UNI) The Maharashtra budget for the year 2008-09, tabled by Finance Minister Jayant Patil, has made provisions for Rs 6,000 crore for the irrigation sector.

Mr Patil, while tabling the budget, told the Legislative Assembly that 1.5 lakh hectares of land are proposed to be brought under irrigation. He also proposed giving priority to water storage works of 61 TMC.

It has also set a target of 1.3 lakh hectares for micro irrigation. The Maharashtra government has continued the crop loan at the concessional rate of Rs 6 per cent.

The budget has also made provisions for the sugar industry and sugarcane growers and envisages financial assistance for uncrushed cane, loss of recovery due to late crushing, transport subsidy and subsidy on sugar export. A provision of Rs 372.42 crore has also been made for energising agricultural pumps.

UNI JM MAZ AK KN1708