Finance Minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy has informed the State Assembly today that the Government has prioritized 50 ongoing Major and Medium Irrigation projects for early completion and creation of Irrigation potential. During the next four years, it is proposed to create new irrigation potential of 50.77 lakh acres, and 15.48 lakh acres stabilization through major and medium irrigation projects, he said in his Budget speech.
The Minister said that ‘Jalayagnam’ programme is being implemented with the aim of creating new irrigation potential of 97.07 lakh acres besides stabilization of 22.45 lakh acres and providing drinking water to 2.54 crore population in 6,553 villages. Till now 17 projects are completed and water released in 24 projects creating partial irrigation potential. The works in the other projects are at different stages of progress.
He said that during the period from 2004-05 to 2-13-14, the irrigation potential created under Major and Medium Irrigation projects is 19.40 lakh cres of new ayacut and a stabilization of an extent of 3.96 lakh acres. Under Minor Irrigation sector, the ayacut irrigated during 2013-14 is 19.01 lakh acres which includes the activities under SC,ST sub-plan also, Ramanarayan Reddy added.(NSS).