Cabinet approves modifications in guidelines of Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme

New Delhi, May 13 (ANI): The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure (CCI) on Thursday approved modifications in the guidelines of the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) with a view to provide AIBP assistance in a more uniform manner.

The changes in the guidelines approved by CCI include allowing funding under AIBP for three projects - one project of Karnataka and two projects of Punjab, benefiting areas under Desert Development Programme (DDP) at par with projects benefiting Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP) areas i.e. at the rate of 90 percent of the cost of works.

The CCI also approved enhancement of the present cost norms from Rs.1.5 lakh per hectare to Rs.2 lakh per hectare in respect of surface minor irrigation schemes for inclusion under AIBP subject to the condition that wherever the estimated cost of the project is more than Rs. 1.5 lakh per hectare, the assistance would be limited to the cost norm of Rs.1.5 lakh per hectare only.

The above modifications will result in providing AIBP assistance in a more uniform manner and will help in implementation of the projects for minor irrigation in difficult terrain through AIBP ssistance. (ANI)