The Hindu : Task Force suggests better water utilisation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 05, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Task Force suggests better water utilisation

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, FEB. 4. The Task Force on Micro-irrigation, headed by the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, today submitted its report to the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, suggesting a mechanism to increase productivity of land, through efficient utilisation of water in agriculture and allied sectors.

The Task Force said that as against the existing potential of 69 million hectares only a miniscule area was covered though micro/drip irrigation, and recommended that three million hectares be brought under the current plan period and another 14 million hectares in the next Plan for achieving the goal of covering 69 million hectares in a phased manner.

In order to cover 17 million hectares, a total investment of Rs. 67,224 crores was required by the end of the 11th Five-Year Plan. As against this, the total benefits in the form of savings on account of water, electricity, fertilizer and income due to increased production would be Rs. 1,30,683 crores. The total benefit would be to the tune of Rs. 63,459 crores.

Briefing correspondents here, Mr. Naidu said the Task Force had suggested that considering the high initial cost farmers be given assistance of 50 per cent of the unit cost of the system at a low rate of interest, with the Centre and the State Governments taking care of the rest.

During his meeting, the Chief Minister raised the problem of the Hyderabad airport, the use of which the Defence Ministry is now seeking. He said the move would result in problem both in terms of utilisation of airspace and other logistical issues. The Prime Minister assured him that he would discuss the matter with the Defence Minister.

He also urged the Prime Minister to include the Icchampally and Polavaram reservoirs among the projects in the initial plan for inter-linking of rivers. He said that in the case of Polavaram, it could be done without much problem since it was the ``most viable'' of the links while Icchampally could be taken up after talking to Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.

Mr. Naidu said the Government should consider extending concessions to the Greenfield airport projects because after the abolition of Inland Air Travel Tax and Foreign Travel Tax, investors would not stand to benefit this component, which was to be reimbursed by the Government.

The State Government also requested the Prime Minister to take an early decision on handing over the Nizam jewels, clearing the setting up of an Indian Institute of Technology at Basra and providing relief for the drought/cyclone-affected. The Chief Minister had a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, both on inter-linking of rivers and more forces for the State, especially during elections.

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