Rs 20,000 crores for Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme

Government is investing heavily in the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) and the Rainfed Area Development Programme and in the management and augmentation of water resources. Presenting the Union Budget 2008-09 in Lok Sabha today the Finance Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram said under AIBP, 24 major and medium irrigation projects and 753 minor irrigation schemes will be completed in this financial year. In 2008-09 the estimated outlay for the above scheme is Rs. 20,000 crores with a grant component of Rs. 5,550 crores.

Shri Chidambaram said Rainfed Area Development Programme has been finalized with an allocation of Rs. 348 crores. He said that priority will be given to those areas that have not been the beneficiaries of watershed development scheme.

The Minister announced allocation of Rs. 500 crores for the centrally sponsored scheme on micro irrigation. He said the scheme will cover 400,000 hectares under drip and sprinkler irrigation.

Source : Press Information Bureau

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