* The latest directives of Governor released on Wednesday ask the State
Government to consider framing a policy for direct purchase of land for
irrigation projects
* Governor asks Planning Department to publish
figures of region-wise plan expenditure since 2010-11 and indicate the
extent of ‘shortfalls or diversions’ between regions
* Rs 700 cr set aside for Gosikhurd national project
By Kartik Lokhande
If
the Government of Maharashtra wants to complete all 452 ongoing
irrigation projects in the State, it may need a whopping amount of Rs
70,750 crore, almost 10 times the allocation made for irrigation sector
in the State Budget for 2015-16. Though the number of ongoing projects
in Vidarbha region is the highest, the maximum balance cost of projects
in Rest of Maharashtra (RoM) is higher.
As per the latest directives
of the Governor of Maharashtra Ch Vidyasagar Rao, released on
Wednesday, the proposed allocation for five inter-state projects is Rs
100 crore and for Gosikhurd project is Rs 700 crore. The remaining
divisible outlay for Water Resources Department (WRD) is Rs 5261.29
crore. Of this, Tribal Sub-Plan outlay is Rs 50 crore. Thus, the
divisible outlay under general plan for irrigation sector for 2015-16
will be Rs 5211.29 crore.
Quoting WRD data as on April 1, 2014, the
Governor’s Directives mentions that the balance cost of 452 projects is
Rs 70,750 crore. Of these, the highest 198 projects are in Vidarbha,
followed by 178 in RoM, and 76 in Marathwada regions. Still, the maximum
balance cost of projects is in case of RoM. While 198 projects in
Vidarbha require only Rs 28,883 crore, 178 projects in RoM require Rs
31,665 crore. In case of Marathwada, 76 project require Rs 10,252 crore.
In the directives, the Governor has noted ‘with concern’ that some
of his earlier directives have not been fully complied with. Planning
Department is yet to submit the impact assessment study, and a report on
time-cost overruns as directed in 2009.
As far as physical backlog
is concerned, the Governor has observed that it still exists in
Amravati, Akola, Washim, and Buldhana districts of Vidarbha. Though WRD
had prepared a five-year action plan commencing from 2010-11 till
2014-15 for removal of physical backlog in these districts, the actual
achievement is too low.
As per the plan, physical backlog sought to
be removed in 2010-11 and 2011-12 was 37,314 hectares and 58,683
hectares respectively. The actual achievement during these years was
9,570 hectares and 13,929 hectares only. The actual physical achievement
during 2012-13 was 6,750 hectares as against the target of 27,564
hectares, and that in 2013-14 was only 3,564 hectares as against the
target of 58,505 hectares. The remaining physical backlog at the end of
June 2014 was 2,23,705 hectares.
The Governor has noted ‘with
concern’ that at the current pace backlog ‘may not be liquidated in the
near future’. Keeping in view the progress of works identified for
removal of backlog, the Governor has held the view that an additional
allocation of Rs 1,000 crore should be made for these four districts.
Previously,
the State Government had a policy of allowing direct purchase of land
for irrigation projects. Referring to the time and cost overruns on
account of delay in land acquisition in backlog districts, the Governor
has ‘directed’ the State Government to consider framing a policy for
direct purchase of land.
In case of projects getting funds under
Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) and suffering delay
because of delay in timely release of funds from Central Government, the
Governor has directed the State Government to make ‘appropriate
arrangements’ to bridge the gap pending the release of Central grants
under AIBP and claim the Central share in due course of time in these
four districts.
Once again, the Governor has asked the Government to
fill all existing vacancies in VIDC in four backlog districts through
transfers from other regions, fresh recruitments, promotions etc. In
this case, the Governor has asked for compliance of this directive
within three months. To ensure faster decision-making and optimum
absorption of funds in these four backlog districts, the Governor has
directed to vest with Executive Director of VIDC the powers of
re-appropriation of funds between projects.
The Governor has
expressed ‘serious concern’ over financial backlog still existing in
Public Health sector, and has directed the Principal Secretary of Public
Health Department to monitor the backlog works on a monthly basis and
send reports to the Governor. He has also expressed his ‘displeasure’
over ‘non-submission’ of information on status of opportunities
regarding technical education, vocational training, employment in
services under control of State Government for each region.
Balance cost of ongoing irrigation projects
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Region No of projects Balance cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Vidarbha 198 Rs 28,883 cr
Marathwada 76 Rs 10,252 cr
Rest of Maha 178 Rs 31,665 cr
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 452 Rs 70,750 cr
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(Filed on March 18, 2015)
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