Plan Allocation

The editor of “Dinamani” in his editorial of Saturday, March 2, 2011 on the above topic has described in detail the way the ministries within Government of India are quite careless in implementation of irrigation schemes on the basis of the follow-up action initiated by the Public Accounts Committee headed by Sri Murali Manohar Joshi the other day. As we are all aware the irrigation percentage of Indian Agriculture is not up to the mark compared to the volume of run off water that goes into the ocean during every monsoon. Although the Government of India and the State Governments keep complaining that the resources allocated for water resources management fall short of the expectation and requirement. Keeping this fact in mind, the Government of India sanctioned 253 small and major irrigation works during the year 2008 out of which 100 projects were reported to have been executed. Surprisingly 12 out of those 100 schemes were in fact incomplete as quoted and taken serious note of by the Public Accounts Committee. The members of the PAC were wondering as to why the Ministry of Water Resources had failed to implement projects through State Governments as per the original plan and commitment. Accelerated Irrigation Utility Plan was introduced by Government of India in 1996-97. Under this scheme the irrigation potential could be increased by lengthening of the canal system and amalgamation of rivers or putting up Dams to store water and taken to a long distance to irrigate lands. Under this scheme, the Government of India is supposed to share the expenditure to the extent of 60% to 90% of the project cost. Many State Governments like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Manipur & Kerala availed this plan. But a few State Governments have not properly implemented this scheme like in the case of Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka. It is disturbing to note that the former Chief Minister of A.P., (Late) Mr.Rajasekara Reddy obtained the maximum assistance of Rs.2000 crore under the banner of 'Jala-yagnam' with an avowed objective of covering the entire State under irrigation. The PAC found to its dismay that the Contractors were paid money in excess of the original estimates by revising them subsequently. They were also found to have misused the allocation of Cement & Steel by diverting to other works. Despite the provision for repair and maintenance committed by the contractors, the State Government had never insisted on its implementation, rather the funds were released before the execution of schemes. About Rs.160 crore of rupees were the extra income earned by these Contractors in Andhra Pradesh alone.

So the editor sarcastically makes a remark that the Government’s allocation of funds is only meant to fill the pockets of the rulers and the Officers by looting the tax payers’ money. It is indeed the concern of each and every citizen of this country. The day is not far off when every body in such a system will be made accountable and the looted money brought back to the treasury.