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Irrigation projects delay led to jump in costs: CAG
News
According to a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), delayed implementation of projects under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) between 2008 and 2017 has increased the cost of these projects to ₹1.20 lakh crore
Important facts
About Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)
- The AIBP was initiated in 1996 as a Central scheme to give loan assistance to the States to help them complete some of the incomplete major/medium irrigation projects which were at an advanced stage of completion and to create additional irrigation potential in the country
- The Union Ministry of Water Resources is responsible for framing policy guidelines for implementation of programme
- State Governments are associated with planning and implementing irrigation projects and schemes.
Key highlights of CAG Report
- Only about 35% of India’s irrigation potential was utilised between 2008 and 2017
- Of the 201 major and medium (M&M) projects approved during the time period only 62 were completed.
- Of the 11,291 minor irrigation (MI) schemes sanctioned, only 8,014 were completed.
- Of the 118 major projects surveyed by the CAG, 105 suffered from a “time overrun” with some projects being delayed by more than 18 years.
Key issues:
- Projects and schemes were included under AIBP in violation of the programme’s guidelines, resulting in irregular release of money
- Deficiencies in the preparation and processing of Detailed Project Reports such as inadequate surveys, inaccurate assessment of water availability etc.
- Financial irregularities such as diversion of funds
- Fictitious and fraudulent expenditure
