The Hindu Business Line : Customise funding terms for irrigation projects, Nabard told

THE Minister for Water Resources, Mr Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, has suggested that the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) modify suitably terms of allocating funds to the State's irrigation sector.

Delivering the inaugural address at a one-day workshop on minor irrigation organised by the Regional Office of Nabard here on Wednesday, the Minister said that State Government appreciated Nabard raising the allocation for irrigation under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF). But some of the terms needed to be modified to suit the specific needs of the State.

Mr Radhakrishnan also indicated that the State Government would take steps to ensure completion, within a period of one year, of projects that have been languishing in various stages of implementation. Although the State is blessed with a large number of rivers and heavy rainfall, availability of water both for drinking and irrigation has been an area of concern. The programmes and schemes conceived by Nabard could go a long way in mitigating these problems.

While stressing the need for rainwater harvesting, the Minister suggested that participatory programmes such as a `labour week', in which even children join hands with elders in undertaking water conservation missions, should be introduced during the rainy season. The need of the hour is to make the programme a mass movement by involving local people, Government agencies, NGOs and banks, the Minister said.

Mr B.S. Shekhawat, Chief General Manager, Nabard Regional Office, mentioned the role of the apex agri credit bank in aiding the State Government put up infrastructure for irrigation. It has also been providing credit support to banks for investment by farmers in minor irrigation activities.

The State Government and the banking community should join hands to improve water management techniques and technologies to fully harness water resources. Nabard will be only glad to assist both the agencies in the effort, Mr Shekhawat said.

The State Government has made an allocation of Rs 125 crore to the water resources sector during the current year, which will be borrowed from Nabard. On its part, Nabard was looking forward to group a list of RIDF projects as possible beneficiaries of this largesse.

According to Mr K.J. Mathew, Principal Secretary, Agriculture, the Rs 125-crore allocated for 2004-05 under RIDF far exceeded the total sanctions approved during the past 10 years.