Irrigation minister T Harish Rao urged the Union government to include nine irrigation projects in Telangana state in Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
Participating in the PMKSY sub-committee meeting held in Delhi on Sunday, Harish Rao, who is also the member of the sub-committee, wanted the Centre to accord top priority to irrigation projects in Telangana.
The minister also wanted the Centre to relax FRBM rules to 3.5 per cent of GSDP so that Telangana State can borrow more money for development works. “Relax FRBM rules and allow us to obtain loans from NABARD to take up irrigation projects,” Harish Rao urged the Centre.
The PMKSY sub-committee meeting also decided to release 50 percent of funds to states in the first quarter of the financial year itself. If the Centre released 50 percent of its share for irrigation projects by April, the State would witness much progress, Harish Rao explained in the meeting.
The sub-committee planned to take up 60 projects under PMKSY, which have been formulated amalgamating ongoing schemes like Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP).
According to Harish Rao, the sub-committee also recommended the Union government to give 60 per cent grants to States for the development of Tribal, hilly and Maoist- affected areas.
An additional 20 per cent of the funds, over and above DPRs prepared by states as of March, 2012 needs to be considered, the sub-committee urged the Central government. All the States should submit their details before March 28.
The sub-committee would study the Suchar project in Rajasthan on April 9 and next meeting of the committee would be held in Rajasthan on April 10.
Speaking to reporters later in Delhi, Harish Rao refuted allegations levelled by Congress leaders that Mission Kakatiya has become ‘Commission Kakatiya’. The Congress leaders gave mobilisation advances to contractors and pocketed money to the tune of Rs 1,700 crore, Harish Rao alleged. “The TRS cancelled the mobilisation advance system and took up works in a transparent manner,” he claimed.
Projects proposed
- Rajiv-Bhima Lift Irrigation
- SRSP
- Indira Flood Flow Canal
- Komaram Bheem project
- Pedda Vagu
- Mattadi Vagu
- Palem Vagu
- Golla Vagu
- Gali Vagu
Source: The New Indian Express