| Irrigation Deptt fails to create targeted CCAs | | Of 93 completed LISs, only 51 put to use | | Arun Singh
Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 22: The Irrigation Department has failed to create desired Cultivable Command Area (CCAs) for agriculture purpose, as against the target plan only 65% area could be created. Moreover, the area which was created was not put to use under the Lift Irrigation Scheme (LIS) in full.
Sources told Early Times that against the envisaged CCA of 30,000 acres, only 21,000 acres was created, and 14,000 acres, that is, 65% was being utilized in respect of 50 (Jammu: 34; Kashmir 16) out of the total 90 LIS completed up to 2002-03.
Of the 50 LISs, 100% irrigation potential created was being utilized in six schemes. In 11 schemes irrigation potential utilized was less than 25%, in 18 schemes the utilization ranged between 25 and 50%. In the remaining 16 schemes it was above 50%.
"The department has attributed poor performance to low voltage of electricity, shortage of revenue staff and rapid urbanization. Out of 12 schemes completed during 2003-08, against the irrigation potential of 3,100 hectares created in four schemes, the utilization was 612 hectares, that is, 19%," sources said.
Many directions were issued to concerned divisions to utilize the created irrigation potential in full but due to non-release of funds under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme resulted in shortfall in achievement of IP, the sources said.
They said the practice continues as against ultimate potential of 16,000 hectares, only 6,400 hectares had been created and 2,400 hectares utilized during April 2008 to March 2016 in 52 completed schemes (Jammu: 38; Kashmir: 14).
In case of LIS Lethpora which has been completed but could not cater to the envisaged area due to non-completion of main, subsidiaries canals. Similarly, under utilisation of LIS Manda-ll was because scheme was in its initial stage of functioning, they said. |
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