VED demands time-bound completion of pending irrigation projects

VED demands time-bound completion of pending irrigation projects

VIDARBHA  Economic

Development (VED) Council and Loknayak Bapuji Ancy Smarak Samili have urged the Government to announce time-bound completion of pending irrigation projects to provide a real boost to development of Vidarbha region.

Addressing a press conference at VED hall here on Wednesday. VED President Devendra Parekh said that Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC) had sought permission for irrigation projects from the Government of India.

From these projects. 54.628 hectares of fertile agricultural land would get irrigated. In the last 8-10 years only 13.207 hectares of land has got irrigated, that is. only 2.38 per cent of the land has come under irrigation. If this speed is maintained by VIDC. it will lake 300years tocomplete 45 projects, he said.

Thirty-three projects got initial permission and from these 4.56.185 hectares of land has come under irrigation. Other 53 projects arc in the pipeline for getting initial permission and 13 projects have become time-barred.

Prom 142 projects in Vidarbha. 11,14.723 hectares of land will come under irrigation. But. till date, only 14 per cent land has come under irrigation. In next three years, 13 projects are to be completed bringing 65.561 hectares under irrigation. According to Parekh. Rs 3 lakh crore worth of agricultural produce and ten years are lost due to lack of irrigation.

Similarly, agricultural employment to 40 lakh persons has been affected due to this. Due to PIL filed by Loknayak Bapuji Aney Smarak Samiti. the above information has reached the public. Vidarbha Irrigation Developmcni Corporation should have asked the Supreme Court for a review of Godavarman Case so that Vidarbha projects" Net Present Value (NPV) could be freed from the Forest Department'scritical conditions and thereby completion of these projects could be achieved speedily. Parekh said.

Posted in: News 2014