7-Apr-2022: DRIP Irrigation

Irrigation projects, including lift and micro irrigation projects, are planned, implemented and managed by the State Governments concerned, as per their own resources and priorities. Role of Government of India is limited to providing technical support, and partial financial support in some cases, as per the norms of the existing schemes being implemented by Government of India.

In order to supplement the efforts of the State Governments for promoting micro irrigation, many important initiatives have been taken by Government of India. Under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana – Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (PMKSY-AIBP), financial assistance is being provided to identified major/ medium irrigation projects, including those with micro irrigation. Further, for the projects included for financial assistance under Command Area Development & Water Management (CAD&WM) component of PMKSY, at least 10% command is required to be covered under micro irrigation. In addition, under Per Drop More Crop scheme of Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, subsidy is being provided for farm level equipment for micro irrigation.

18-Mar-2021: Assistance to States Under AIBP

Government of India launched Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) in the year 1996-97 to provide Central Assistance to States for the major/medium irrigation projects in the Country, with the objective to accelerate implementation of advanced stage irrigation projects held up due to financial constraints. Further, during the year 2015-16, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was launched, and Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) was coopted in it. Subsequently, during 2016-17, ninety-nine (99) on-going Major/Medium irrigation projects (and 7 phases), having ultimate irrigation potential of 76.03 lakh hectare, were prioritized in consultation with States, for funding under PMKSY-AIBP in a mission mode.

Details of Central Assistance (CA) provided to states for prioritised projects under PMKSY-AIBP during last three years are as follows:

Since the launch of AIBP in 1995-96, a total of 297 major and medium irrigation projects have been taken up for financial assistance under it, including the 99 prioritized projects (and 7 phases) taken up in mission mode under PMKSY-AIBP in 2016-17. Out of these, 10 medium and major irrigation projects are from Rajasthan.

The present scheme of AIBP under PMKSY, which was originally approved till December, 2019, has now been extended till March, 2021. However financial assistance under the same is restricted to only the identified 99 projects (and 7 phases). It does not have provision for inclusion of any new project for funding.

9-Feb-2017: Rs 2,845 cr released under AIBP for irrigation projects

Central assistance worth over Rs 2,845 crore has been released for various Extension, Renovation and Modernisation (ERM) irrigation projects under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) till December 2016.

42 approved ERM projects have been included under AIBP since its inception. Central assistance of Rs 2,845.27 crore has been released for these projects up to December 2016. Out of the 42 projects, 20 have been reported to be completed by state governments.

A committee is looking in to the completion of ongoing AIBP projects. The committee, in consultation with states has identified 99 ongoing AIBP projects including 9 ERM projects for completion in phases by December 2019.