Karnataka to get Rs 200 crore from NABARD: Minister

Bangalore, Oct 30 (UNI) The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) will release Rs 200 crore for the development of irrigatio tanks in the State for 2008-09, Karnataka Minor Irrigation Minister Govind Karajol said here today.

Speaking to newspersons, Mr Karajol said the amount would be used to construct as many as 150 new tanks in the Krishna Basin in Northern Karnataka.

The State Government would also spend about 140 crore for tank development which also included rebuilding and desilting.

''As many as 3,600 tanks come under Minor Irrigation Department in the State, among 36,000,'' he said.

For 2008-09, about 30,000 hectares of command area would be developed under Small Irrigation Department.

''As many as ten lakh hectare of land is being irrigated under Minor Irrigation Department,'' he said.

A survey was being conducted to know the extent of encroachment of lands attached to tanks.

''Once the survey is conducted, the government will take all measures to remove illegal encroachments and save the water bodies for the future generation,'' the Minister said.

To a question, he said the State Government would spend about Rs 600 crore for soil and water conservation in the next five years.

However, no such work would be undertaken under Cauvery Basin Area as there was restriction from the Supreme Court, he said.

UNI MV GM RL SSC1505