Centre clears Rs. 707 cr for Bundelkhand.

In first approval of central funds for Uttar Pradesh, the Narendra Modi government has cleared Rs 707.79 crore for projects under Bundelkhand Package, which was started by the previous UPA government for the region to deal with its drought situation.

The Centre will provide Additional Central Assistance (ACA) of Rs 657.59 crore under the package while the UP government will provide its share of Rs 36.80 crore.

Following this clearance, an emboldened UP government recently sent another demand for projects worth Rs. 1930.38 crore with an ACA of Rs. 810.14 crore to the central government.

Among the approved projects, a major emphasis is on land development and water resources with maximum ACA of Rs 453.10 crore.

Installation of solar pumps are also a priority with Rs. 40 crore sanctioned by the central government. Another Rs. 150.26 crore will be utilised for providing irrigation water in 15 villages of Babina block of Jhansi district.

The central government has approved development of canal system in eight places under the package. The places are Maudha, Lahchura Weir, Barua, Jamini, Saprar Ranipur, Sajnam, Chillimal and Ohan canal system.

Among them, Lahchura Weir canal system will cost Rs. 106.72 crore, Jamini canal system is worth Rs. 103.28 crore and Maudha dam canal system Rs. 94.42 crore.

The central government has also given preference to horticulture projects in the region. A sum of Rs. five crore will be spent on development of a local fruit variety, Rs. 6.30 crore for establishment of a horticulture estate, Rs. 2.45 crore for setting up a nutritional garden and Rs. 12.25 crore for development of a vegetable patti.

'The projects were approved during the steering committee meeting held last month. We have been officially communicated and soon funds will also be released. We have submitted projects for nearly Rs. 1,930 crore, which are still under evaluation with the central government,' Devesh Chaturvedi, Principal Secretary, Planning Department told The Indian Express.


THE INDIAN EXPRESS