Rs2,000-cr plan for irrigation in Orissa

Bhubaneswar: The Orissa government has decided to observe 2008 as 'Irrigation Year'. During the year it intends to spend Rs 2,000 crores enhancing irrigation coverage in the state.

Announcing the programme on Monday evening, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said his government aims to bring more and more agricultural land under the irrigation network and ensure there is no crop failure due to shortage of water.

The new initiative is likely to provide some relief to Mr Patnaik, who is evidently perturbed by the farmers’ unrest in some parts of Orissa because of allocation of Hirakud reservoir water to industries. It may also help him overcome the growing perception that industry is getting precedence over agriculture.

As per the plan chalked out by a high-level meeting chaired by the chief minister, development of irrigation sources will be undertaken with an investment of Rs 5 lakhs in those villages where less than 35 per cent agricultural land is irrigated. The other decisions include establishment of at least 1,000 lift irrigation points in the year.

Similarly, at least three or four minor irrigation projects will be established in villages with less than 35 per cent irrigation. At least 1,000 minor irrigation projects are expected to come up under the programme.

Around 25,000 new tubewell points will be set up by March 2009 under the Jalanidhi programme. Steps will be taken for renewal and, if necessary, lining of canal systems in medium and small irrigation projects under the guidance of 'pani panchayats'. Command area development works will also be undertaken through pani panchayats.

The present move comes at a time when the Opposition parties, encouraged by the rising discontent of the farmers against water allocation to industries, are trying to score political points by organising protest rallies across the state. The Opposition says the peasants are in distress as the government is obsessed with big industry.