Centre earmarks Rs 75,000 cr for Maharashtra’s irrigation projects ahead of the 2019 polls
With an eye on the 2019 general elections, the incumbent BJP government has given a big push to the irrigation sector in Maharashtra. Union water resources minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday asserted that the Centre has so far earmarked Rs 75,000 crore for a slew of irrigation projects across the state. Of which, nearly Rs 50,000 crore will come as the Government of India grant and Rs 25,000 crore loan from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development with the Centre's guarantee.
The projects include completion of 379 pending irrigation projects, inter linking of the Par-Tapi-Narmada and Damanbgana-Pinjal rivers, restoration of dams and rejuvenation of canals.
The big push is aimed at realpolitik of taming the Opposition, providing relief to farmers suicide prone districts and increasing the irrigation potential of a primarily agrarian state like Maharashtra.
It may be recalled that the BJP won the 2014 elections on the plank of the alleged multi-crore irrigation scam during the Congress-NCP rule. Hence, it is imperative for BJP to prove itself that it has done enough on the irrigation front.
Gadkari, who hails from Maharashtra, said the funding will help completion of long pending irrigation projects and inter-linking of rivers to increase state's irrigation potential to 40 per cent from the present level of 18 per cent.
State water resources minister Girish Mahajan said since the BJP government assumed power in the state, 119 projects have been completed. "'The government has set an ambitious target of 49 lakh hectare of irrigation projects of which already 41 lakh hectare has been achieved," he added.
However, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik termed Gadkari's slew of announcements as a poll gimmick. "From where will the money come? The Central government won't be in a position to present the next budget due to Lok Sabha election," he said.
CENTRAL FUNDING
- The Centre has earmarked Rs 75,000 crore for a slew of irrigation projects across Maharashtra.
- Of this, nearly Rs 50,000 crore will come as a Government of India grant and another Rs 25,000 crore will come as loan from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development with the Centre’s guarantee.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Farmer")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}