Date:01/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/01/stories/2007120158790100.htm

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‘Jalayagnam’: department bifurcated

Special Correspondent

One for construction and other for operation and maintenance

HYDERABAD: The Irrigation department will be divided into two wings, one exclusively to handle construction of the projects and the other for their operation and maintenance. This decision is yet another step to expedite the ‘jalayagnam’ projects.

Announcing this to reporters after reviewing the ‘jalayagnam’ programme at a high-level meeting here on Friday, Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy said, while taking the decision, the logic was that a construction engineer would concentrate only on construction and as such, he alone would ensure faster execution of the projects.

The other wing would deal with regulation and operation/maintenance of the projects. However, Dr. Reddy said the wings would be created by way of internal adjustment of engineers with the ultimate aim to ensure assured irrigation even to the tail-end areas.

He indicated that there would be no fresh recruitment, saying “the department is very efficient”.

The Chief Minister announced details of the Rs. 18,000-crore ambitious programme to modernise canal systems in the Krishna, Godavari and Penna deltas and other areas covering over 51 lakh acres. The modernisation would be completed in 51 months.

He indicated that a crop holiday might be declared for a season to facilitate works. Dr. Reddy said he would neither increase the water cess nor impose any fresh tax to fund the programme. Budget would not be a problem, as the burden was spread over four years. “Our budget is buoyant”.

State budget

The entire amount would be drawn from the State budget except for Rs 2,200 crore, which would come from the World Bank to modernise the Nagarjunasagar canals, explained Major Irrigation Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah later.

A break-up of the amounts set aside under the programme is follows: Rs 4,573 crore Krishna detla modenisation; Rs 3,361 crore Godavari delta; Rs 4,444 crore Nagarjunasagar canals; Rs 1,050 crore Penna delta; Rs 550 crore Nizamasagar, Rs 100 crore Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme; Rs 2,115 crore Thungabhadra High Level Canal and Rs 200 crore Thungabhadra Low Level Canal.