SRIKAKULAM: The Minister for Andhra Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (APIDC), Groundwater Development, Printing and Machinery, M.Mareppa, on Tuesday said that the Government had chalked out plans to revive and restore defunct IDC (Irrigation Development Corporation) schemes for which Rs.275 crores, which included this year's budget allocation of Rs.200 crores, was available.

Mr.Mareppa, who is also in-charge of the district, told newsmen here that of some 1,300 lift irrigation schemes, 574 had become defunct, mainly for lack of finances for maintenance. The Chief Minister, Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy, who is keen on improving the agricultural sector, allotted the required amount for maintenance of these LI schemes.

Free power

These schemes would get free power supply, Mr.Mareppa said. The Minister said that steps would be taken to create awareness among farmers who would form societies and provided training on various aspects of maintaining the LI schemes. The IDC was formed in 1974 but its schemes ran into rough weather and only some 630 of the total of 2,500 work force (the rest were sent out on VRS) was left and it was about to be wound up during the TDP regime. But the Congress Government had decided to streamline the IDC schemes with a view to helping the farming community, Mr.Mareppa said.

Answering questions on the failure of cloud seeding, Mr.Mareppa maintained that the issue should not be approached with a negative mindset.

The Government was keen on helping farmers in the drought-affected districts in whatever way it was possible and decided to go in for cloud seeding. He wanted the spirit of the whole effort to be understood. Ten districts where the rainfall was less than 600 mm were selected for cloud seeding.

Irregularity denied

This process had been adopted in many rich countries. Even the TDP had tried this process. Global tenders were invited for selecting the implementing agency. It was finalized after taking into consideration all aspects.

A sum of Rs.20 crores was spent, the Minister said asserting that there was no irregularity at any stage.

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